Pope Francis has cancelled his weekend's Holy Year events as he continues to battle a respiratory “polymicrobial infection”, the Vatican has confirmed.
The pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday.
Vatican press office says that his condition is “stable” and the Pope is “continuing with the prescribed treatment”.
Rev. Enzo Fortunato gave a statement as pilgrims gathered at St Peter’s Basilica in prayer for the Pope’s return to health.
The Pope is 'continuing with the prescribed treatment'
REUTERS
Fortunato said: “Pope Francis is always pushing himself, he always wants to fulfil his commitments at all costs.”
The 88-year-old has suffered previously with respiratory issues and bronchitis, due to having part of his lung removed after a pulmonary infection in his youth.
His stay will mark his fourth hospitalisation in his nearly 12 years of service and raises concerns about his deteriorating health.
All his hospitalisations have been in the previous four years, in 2021 over a foot of his large intestine was removed to repair a painful hernia.
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The pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday
REUTERS
Later in 2023 he had surgeries to remove scar tissue around his intestines and received a diagnosis of “an acute and strong pneumonia in the lower part of the lungs”.
The pope must often use a wheelchair or walking stick due to bad knees and has fallen in his apartment twice in the past months, injuring both his arm and chin.
Two days ago, the pope posted on Twitter that he was “touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he continues to receive in these hours”.
There were over a thousand comments of prayer, support and adoration.
Well-wishers lit candles outside the hospital
REUTERS
One X user replied: “Praying for you holy father!”
Another commented: “Holy Father, I’m praying for your full recovery.”
“Get well soon,” two others said.
