Pope in hospital: Quiet night, cautious optimism at Gemelli hospital
Respiratory infection confirmed by examinations but Covid infection ruled out. The transfer to the hospital took place after yesterday morning's regular general audience. "Grateful to everyone for their closeness and prayers".
Rome (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis spent a peaceful night at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he was admitted yesterday afternoon for a respiratory infection. In a note released today, the director of the Vatican Press Office Matteo Bruni wrote that the pontiff "rested well during the night. The clinical picture is progressively improving and he is continuing his planned treatment. This morning after breakfast, he read some newspapers and resumed work. Before lunch he went to the chapel in his private flat, where he gathered in prayer and received the Eucharist."
According to leaks, the Pontiff, after holding a regular general audience in the morning, experienced difficulty breathing immediately after lunch yesterday, while in his room in the Casa Santa Marta.
Taken to the hospital, he underwent a CT scan that gave a negative result: it is not pneumonia, therefore, but severe bronchitis for which he is undergoing treatment. It should also be remembered that more than sixty years ago - when he was 21 years old - Bergoglio had the upper lobe of his right lung removed because of three cysts, even though he has always said that he has never had any serious problems because of this in the following years.
Yesterday evening, the director of the Vatican Press Office, Bruni, explained that the results of the examinations 'showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid 19 infection) that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment. Pope Francis,' the note concluded, 'is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayers'.
The pope is hospitalised on the tenth floor of the Policlinico Gemelli, in the rooms that also housed John Paul II and where he spent his stay during surgery in July 2021. The infection occurred on the eve of the Holy Week celebrations that Pope Francis was to preside over.
For the time being, only today's and tomorrow's engagements have been cancelled, although it is not excluded that - should his hospitalization be prolonged - a cardinal will be delegated to preside over the rites in St. Peter's in the coming days.
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