Pope Francis is hospitalized at the Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The Vatican has shared that the Pope has pneumonia in both of his lungs, with his condition presenting some complications that prevented him from participating in his scheduled activities over the weekend.
"Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father's clinical condition continue to present a complex picture," reads the Vatican's statement.
“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the “A. Gemelli” Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy."
According to the organization, the pope has a "polymicrobial infection" caused by a recent episode of bronchitis. While the Pope is in "fair" condition, he's been hospitalized since this past Friday and is 88 years old.
Still, he is still participating in some of his normal routines, including reading the newspaper, eating his breakfast, and getting some work done. He is described as having "good spirits."
The statement concludes by sharing that the Pope has "received the Eucharist and, throughout the day, alternated between rest, prayer, and reading. He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue.”
Due to his condition, Pope Francis has been absent from some of his duties, missing an event for artists hosted at the Vatican. He has also delegated a representative to participate in Mass on Sunday.
Pope Francis's health condition
According to The New York Times, Pope Francis has weaker lungs due to a pulmonary infection he had as a young man, which resulted in him having the upper lobe of his right lung removed.
The condition has made him prone to bronchitis, especially during the winter months.
The Pope's hospitalization marks his fourth visit to the Policlinico A. Gemelli. Over the past four years, he's had a colon surgery, was admitted for a respiratory infection, and underwent abdominal surgery for a hernia.