Pope Francis has been admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for bronchitis treatment, the Vatican confirmed on Friday. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been grappling with respiratory troubles for several days, is undergoing tests and continued medical care.
His condition first raised concern last Sunday during Mass at the Vatican, where he struggled to breathe and had to delegate the remainder of his speech to an aide.
Despite this setback, he pressed on with his official engagements, even holding a scheduled meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on Friday morning.
This latest health scare is one in a series of ailments the Pope has faced in recent years. In 2022, he scrapped planned visits to Africa due to knee problems that have since left him relying on a cane or wheelchair.
The following year, he was hospitalized with a respiratory infection and later underwent abdominal surgery for a hernia. Earlier this year, a minor fall at home resulted in a slight injury to his right arm.
Francis’ health challenges trace back decades. At just 21, he endured a severe bout of pneumonia that led to the removal of part of his lung, along with three cysts. He later credited the experience as a catalyst for his decision to join the Jesuits upon recovery.
Despite these medical hurdles, the Argentine-born Pope remains steadfast. In his recently published autobiography, he dismissed speculation about stepping down. “I am well,” he wrote, adding matter-of-factly, “The reality is quite simply that I am old.”
Article updated 1 month ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
