Pope Francis, 86, is suffering from respiratory infection and will stay in hospital ‘for a few days’, Vatican says

POPE Francis has a respiratory infection and will need to be kept in hospital for “a few days”, the Vatican said tonight.

The Vatican said the 86-year-old was admitted to hospital in Rome on Wednesday after complaining of breathing difficulties.

According to Italian media reports, Francis was rushed to hospital by ambulance after his weekly audience.

A Vatican source said his appointments for Thursday have been cancelled.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis does not have Covid.

But he said the Pope had been struggling with breathing difficulties in recent days and was taken to the Gemelli hospital for tests.

His admission to hospital comes just days before Easter, traditionally one of the busiest times for the Pope.

Francis, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church this month, had earlier appeared in good spirits at his weekly audience at the Vatican, smiling as he greeted crowds from his “popemobile”.

But he was seen grimacing as he was helped getting into the vehicle.

Bruni said Pope Francis is “touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer”.

The pontiff suffers from chronic knee pain and relies on a wheelchair.

Earlier this year, Francis bid farewell to his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died aged 95.

Francis was seen arriving in a wheelchair and stood using a stick as he paid tribute to the “wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years”.

The Gemelli is the same hospital where he underwent a major op on his colon in 2021.

He remained in hospital for 10 days.

Pope Francis had to cancel activities several times last year due to the pain his knee and acknowledged that he needed to slow down.

He said he would follow Benedict in stepping down if his health made him unable to do his job.