Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory infection Wednesday after experiencing difficulty breathing in latest days and can stay in the Rome hospital for a number of days of therapy, the Vatican mentioned.
The 86-12 months-outdated pope, who had a part of one lung eliminated as a younger man, doesn’t have COVID-19, spokesman Matteo Bruni mentioned in an announcement late Wednesday.
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The hospitalization was the primary since Francis spent 10 days on the Gemelli hospital in July 2021 to have 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon eliminated.
It instantly raised questions on Francis’ general well being, and his skill to rejoice the busy Holy Week occasions which might be on account of start this weekend with Palm Sunday.
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Bruni mentioned Francis had had bother breathing in latest days and went to the Gemelli hospital Wednesday for checks.
“The checks confirmed a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that can require some days of medical therapy in the hospital,” Bruni’s assertion mentioned.
Francis appeared in comparatively good kind throughout his usually scheduled common viewers earlier Wednesday, although he grimaced strongly whereas getting in and out of the “popemobile.” He however rode across the sq. as traditional, kissing infants and greeting the devoted.
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Pope Francis in “good situation” following hospitalization for intestinal surgical procedure: Vatican
Bruni mentioned Francis, an Argentine Jesuit, was grateful for the prayers and messages wishing him a speedy restoration, together with from the Italian bishops convention.
President Joe Biden, at the beginning of an Oval Office assembly with President Alberto Fernandez of Argentina, informed reporters he had simply realized of Francis’s well being issues and mentioned he was involved about his expensive “good friend.”
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Francis had a part of one lung eliminated when he was a younger man on account of a respiratory infection, and he usually speaks in a whisper. But he acquired via the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic with out a minimum of any public phrase of ever testing constructive.
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Francis was scheduled to rejoice Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican’s Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and at last Easter Sunday on April 9. He has canceled all audiences via Friday, nevertheless it wasn’t clear whether or not he might hold the Holy Week plans.
Francis has used a wheelchair for over a 12 months on account of strained ligaments in his proper knee and a small knee fracture. He has mentioned the harm was therapeutic and been strolling extra with a cane of late.
Francis additionally has mentioned he resisted having surgical procedure for the knee issues as a result of he didn’t reply nicely to common anesthesia through the 2021 intestinal surgical procedure.
He mentioned quickly after the surgical procedure that he had recovered totally and will eat usually. But in a Jan. 24 interview with The Associated Press, Francis mentioned his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned.”
© 2023 The Canadian Press
