Pope Francis, 87, was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday.
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The Vatican confirmed the news through a release. Earlier in the day, officials announced that the Pope would undergo a series of diagnostic tests and continue treatment for his ongoing bronchitis.
“This morning, after his audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for necessary diagnostic tests. [He will also] continue hospital treatment for his ongoing bronchitis,” the statement explained.
The press office revealed that he had been battling bronchitis for several days. It’s a condition he has mentioned during some of his recent public appearances.
Pope Francis has been hospitalized in Rome after suffering from a recurrent bout of bronchitis
— RT (@RT_com) February 14, 2025
Here he is during last public appearance on Wednesday, when he struggled to speak, and asked another church official to finish reading his text at the weekly General Audience pic.twitter.com/cXVBVbFdUC
On Feb. 6, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had been diagnosed with bronchitis. As a result, he will be holding audiences from his residence in Vatican City.
“Due to bronchitis that he is experiencing these days, and in order to continue his activities, on Friday, February 7, and Saturday, February 8, Pope Francis’ audiences will be held at Casa Santa Marta,” the Vatican wrote then.
Upcoming Appearances by Pope Francis Have Been Canceled
Due to the pope’s hospitalization, adjustments have been made to the upcoming Jubilee events. Notably, the Jubilee Audience originally scheduled for February 15 has been canceled.
“The Jubilee Audience scheduled for tomorrow, February 15, has been canceled,” the Holy See Press Office wrote. “The Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture, set to take place on Sunday, February 16, will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.”
“Furthermore, the meeting with artists, originally planned for Monday at Cinecittà, will not take place due to the Pope’s inability to attend,” the statement added.
The Latest Hospitalization of Pope Francis Follows a Series of Health Setbacks
In March 2023, the Pope was hospitalized for bronchitis after experiencing respiratory difficulties. According to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, the Pope sought medical attention at Policlinico A. Gemelli for further evaluation, per CNN.
Later that year, he was hospitalized once more for a three-hour intestinal surgery to address recurring symptoms from an abdominal hernia.