Pope Francis hospitalized

Pope Francis was admitted to hospital on February 14 for tests and treatment for bronchitis, according to AFP, citing a statement from the Vatican.

Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, on the morning of February 14th for "necessary diagnostic tests and further treatment for bronchitis," according to the Vatican. He will be staying in a room reserved for popes.

Despite his health problems, Pope Francis rarely takes a rest.

Pope Francis has been suffering from respiratory problems for over a week, experiencing shortness of breath in recent days and having his speeches read aloud by an assistant. He had part of his lung removed when he was younger.

At an event on February 12, Pope Francis gasped for breath, saying he "still couldn't" read his speech, and then smiled and added, "I hope I can read it next time."

Pope Francis was hospitalized for three nights in March 2023 due to bronchitis. In December 2023, he had to cancel his visit to Dubai to attend the United Nations' COP28 climate change conference due to another bout of bronchitis.

The Argentinian Pope has faced health problems in recent years, including ulcerative colitis. He has been confined to a wheelchair since 2022 due to persistent knee pain and uses a cane during the rare occasions he does stand up.

Despite his health problems, Pope Francis rarely rests. In September 2024, he completed a four-country tour, the longest trip of his papacy in terms of both time and distance. He never takes a holiday and is always busy, sometimes having dozens of meetings in a single morning.

Pope Francis's health problems frequently fuel speculation about his future, especially since his predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned due to ill health in 2013.

While leaving open the possibility of resigning if he is unable to perform his duties, Pope Francis has said that he is not going anywhere at the moment. In his memoir published last year, Pope Francis wrote that he "had no reason serious enough to make me think of resigning."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-hoang-francis-nhap-vien-185250214184848717.htm