Pope Francis, who was hospitalized for bronchitis four days ago, faces a “complex clinical picture” that would need the 88-year-old to stay longer than expected, the Vatican said Monday.
Following the original cancellation of events through Monday, the Vatican announced that the pope’s weekly Wednesday audience would also be cancelled.
“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in treatment,” it said in a statement.
“All the tests carried out until now are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalisation.” Matteo Bruni, the Vatican’s spokesperson, had previously told reporters that the pope was in “good humour,” had rested well overnight, had breakfast, and read the newspapers.
A source in the pope’s entourage also stated that there was no cause for concern within the Vatican following his Friday admission to Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
Francis was admitted after a “very busy” two weeks, during which “he was weakened,” according to the source, who added: “There is no alarmism.”
A Vatican source confirmed to AFP that the pope was receiving oxygen. However, the announcement of the more complex scenario raises new concerns regarding the Argentine pontiff, who has been suffering from health problems in recent years.
Francis had claimed to be having difficulties breathing in the days leading up to his admittance and had repeatedly asked aides to read his addresses aloud on his behalf.
He also missed a Good Friday event last year due to what the Vatican described as a “light flu,” but continued to lead Easter services as planned.
A year ago, in March 2023, Francis was brought to the hospital for three nights with bronchitis, which was treated with antibiotics.
Another bout of bronchitis forced him to abandon his December 2023 visit to Dubai to attend the United Nations COP28 climate change meeting.
The pope also had a hernia operation in June 2023 and surgery in 2021 for a type of diverticulitis, which is an inflammation of pockets that form in the lining of the gut.
He has been using a wheelchair since 2022 due to severe knee pain and occasionally utilizes a cane to stand up.
Francis has also fallen a few times in the last several months, injuring his wrist in January and sustaining a significant bruise on his right jaw in December after sliding from his bed.
Despite his health issues, Francis remains an active pontiff. In September 2024, he completed a four-nation Asia-Pacific visit, the longest of his pontificate in terms of duration and distance.
He has a full itinerary, including daily private audiences, the weekly Angelus prayer on Sundays, and the Wednesday public audience.He watched Sunday’s mass on television from the hospital and sent a written address for the Angelus.
“I would have liked to be among you but, as you know, I am here at the Gemelli Hospital because I still need some treatment for my bronchitis,” Francis wrote.
The Jesuit, like his predecessor Benedict XVI, has left open the possibility of resigning if he is unable to carry out his duties. However, in a memoir published last year, the Pope stated that he had “no cause serious enough to make me consider resigning.”
Resignation is a “distant possibility” that would be justifiable only in the event of “a serious physical impediment”, he wrote.
