Pope Francis arrives for the Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Sq. in Vatican Metropolis on Feb. 9.

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Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Pictures

Pope Francis wants further hospital care this week after being admitted for bronchitis, the Vatican’s press workplace mentioned Monday.

The 88-year-old pontiff had been battling a case of bronchitis since early February. He was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday for therapy and diagnostic exams, based on the Vatican.

Over the weekend, the Vatican reported that his well being appeared “secure” and his fever had subsided. Then on Monday, the Vatican mentioned new medical check outcomes indicated that Francis has “a polymicrobial an infection of the respiratory tract.” In accordance with medical analysis, such infections are typically attributable to a mix of viruses, micro organism, fungi and parasites.

“All exams carried out up to now are indicative of a fancy medical image that may require acceptable hospitalization,” the Vatican mentioned Monday morning. This week’s basic viewers has been canceled.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni instructed reporters Monday that Francis stays in good spirits. Francis additionally continued to examine in on the parish priest of the Catholic Church in Gaza — which grew to become routine since battle broke out between Israel and Hamas in 2023.

Rev. Gabriel Romanelli of the Holy Household Church in Gaza Metropolis instructed the Vatican Information that Francis referred to as on Friday and Saturday, and despatched a textual content message on Sunday.

“We heard his voice. It’s true, he’s extra drained. He himself mentioned, ‘I’ve to care for myself.’ However you could possibly hear the clear voice, he listened to us nicely,” Romanelli mentioned.

A candle with an image of Pope Francis is ready on the backside of a statue of Pope John Paul II on the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday, the place Pope Francis is hospitalized for exams and therapy.

Filippo Monteforte/AFP through Getty Pictures

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Filippo Monteforte/AFP through Getty Pictures

A recap of Pope Francis’ hospital stays

That is at the very least the fourth time Francis has been hospitalized since he was elected in 2013.

In July 2021, the pope underwent a three-hour surgical procedure to take away a part of his colon, in response to diverticulitis, a situation that may infect or inflame the colon.

Then, in March 2023, Francis spent three days on the hospital to deal with a respiratory an infection. Later, in June, the pontiff underwent belly surgical procedure that additionally lasted three hours to deal with a hernia that was inflicting him reoccurring ache.

In his 20s, Francis additionally had a part of one lung eliminated, which generally induced shortness of breath.