Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, February 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis, according to the Vatican.
The 88-year-old pontiff is expected to receive complete rest during his hospitalization, with doctors prescribing absolute rest to aid in his recovery. Despite this, Pope Francis has been preparing a special Angelus message that focuses on art’s power to unite humanity and includes prayers for regions torn by conflict.
According to the Vatican, the pope spent a peaceful night at the hospital and had breakfast and read several newspapers on Saturday morning. Medical assessments and necessary treatments are continuing, with some improvement in certain values reported.
The pontiff is expected to undergo diagnostic tests until February 17, after which his schedule will be reevaluated. Due to his hospitalization, Pope Francis’ appointments for the following three days were canceled, including a jubilee audience at the Vatican on Saturday and a meeting with artists at Cinecittà film studios on Wednesday.
The Vatican has asked the faithful to continue praying for the Holy Father’s swift recovery and expressed gratitude for the many messages of closeness and affection received.
Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262227/pope-francis-hospitalized-live-updates