ROME -- Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened, and he was receiving drug therapy for a respiratory tract infection, the Vatican said. It was the latest setback to the 88-year-old's pontiff's health that forced him to cancel his agenda through Monday at least.
Francis was serene, in good spirits and had read some newspapers after arriving at Rome's Gemelli hospital after presiding over his morning audiences, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
In an evening bulletin, the Vatican said preliminary tests showed Francis had a respiratory tract infection, was running a mild fever and was in "fair" condition at Gemelli where he was undergoing drug therapy.
Francis has complained of breathing trouble and was diagnosed with bronchitis Feb. 6, but he had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite. He had presided at an outdoor Mass on Sunday and attended his general audience Wednesday. But he has been handing off his speeches for an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing.
On Friday, he appeared bloated and pale during the handful of audiences he held before going to the hospital. The bloating appeared to indicate that the medication he was taking to help treat the lung infection was making him retain water.
Christopher Lamb, CNN's Vatican correspondent, saw Francis at the beginning of an audience Friday with CNN head Mark Thompson, and said the pope was mentally alert but struggling to speak for extended periods due to breathing difficulties.
Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has long battled health problems, especially bouts of acute bronchitis in winter. He uses a wheelchair, walker or cane when moving around his apartment and recently fell twice, hurting his arm and chin.
Francis is being treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was last admitted in June 2023 to have surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in the abdominal wall. A few months before that, he spent three days in Gemelli to receive intravenous antibiotics for a respiratory infection.
He later revealed that he had been rushed to the hospital March 29, 2023, after spiking a high fever and feeling a sharp pain in his chest. He said he was diagnosed with what he said was "an acute and strong pneumonia, in the lower part of the lungs."
The Vatican said Francis was admitted to Gemelli after his Friday audiences. In addition to regular Vatican officials and Thompson, the pope met Friday morning with the Slovak prime minister, Robert Fico.
"This morning, at the end of the audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue in a hospital setting treatment for bronchitis that is still ongoing," a Vatican statement said.
No details were given about the duration of Francis' hospitalization, but the Vatican later announced the pope was canceling his participation in Holy Year events through Monday.
The pope had a busy weekend agenda planned, including an audience with artists in town for the Jubilee on Saturday, a Mass for them on Sunday and a trip to Rome's famed Cinecitta studios on Monday. While a Vatican cardinal will preside over the Mass in Francis' place, the Vatican said the other events were canceled "due to the impossibility of the pope to participate."
Information for this article was contributed by Paolo Lucariello of The Associated Press.
Pope Francis meets with Czech Republic's Prime Minister Robert Fico, right, at The Vatican Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)
Members of the media take position outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized to undergo some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
People arrive and leave the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, where Pope Francis has been hospitalised to undergo a necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Candles, one showing a photo of Pope Francis, are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized to undergo some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis meets with Czech Republic's Prime Minister Robert Fico, right, and his entourage at The Vatican Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)
Candles, one showing a photo of Pope Francis, are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized to undergo some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
People walk in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, hours after Pope Francis was hospitalized to undergo some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)