The Vatican says that Pope Francis was hospitalized for several days with a respiratory problem

A visit to Rome to check up with the Pope and to his medical staff after a visit to DR and South Sudan, which he described in a statement

Pope Francis went to the Rome hospital for a checkup today after complaining of breathing difficulties, the Vatican said. “The outcome of these [tests] showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid-19 infection) that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical therapy.”

Francis was taken to a hospital after his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican said earlier in the day that a visit and tests were planned.

The Church of Rome also expressed “all its closeness and affection to its Bishop Pope Francis, and ensures its unceasing prayers, wishing him a speedy recovery,” it said in a statement on Thursday.

The Presidency asked the doctors and medical staff to care for the Holy Father with dedication and professionalism.

He sometimes uses a wheelchair because of pain in his knee, and often he has a walking stick with him. Last year he canceled a trip to Democratic Republic ofCongo and South Sudan because he could also have missed a later trip to Canada if he didn’t take 20 more days of therapy for his knee. He visited the DR and South Sudan in February.

diverticulitis is a condition that can cause inflammation of the colon. In 2021, he had surgery to remove part of his colon.

In December, Francis revealed that he had already signed his resignation letter to be used in the event of him becoming “impaired.” Francis said in the ABC interview that he would not be able to perform his duties if a pope were to have an accident.

It marked the first time a pope had stepped down in nearly 600 years. The last pope to step down was Gregory XII, who in 1415 ended a civil war within the church that claimed more than one pope.

The many prayers of the 86-year-old Pope Francis in his first tweet acknowledging his hospitalization in Rome for a respiratory infection

Pope Francis has acknowledged the many well-wishes the 86-year-old has received while he’s being treated in a Rome hospital for a respiratory infection.

In his first tweet acknowledging his illness, Francis said: “I am touched by the many messages received in these hours and I express my gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”