Pope Francis spent a “silent night” on the 10th floor of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after being admitted on Wednesday complaining of breathing difficulties.
The medical team is “optimistic” about the 86-year-old pope’s recovery This is reported by the Italian news agency ANSA, citing hospital sources. It is believed that Pope Francis should be dismissed in time for Palm Sunday celebrations this weekend, April 2, if there are no setbacks.
Francis was diagnosed with a respiratory infection on Wednesday after complaining of “breathing difficulties” and was admitted to hospital, with the Vatican saying he needs “a few days of adequate medical treatment in hospital”.
Matteo Bruni, spokesman for the Vatican, reported on Wednesday evening that contamination by covid-19 has been ruled out.
The hearings that Pope Francis was supposed to hold this Thursday and Friday have been cancelled.
After tests at Gemelli Hospital, heart problems and pneumonia were ruled out, says the newspaper La Repubblica.
In the Vatican statement, Matteo Bruni refers that Pope Francis is “touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayers”.
Francis, who has been pope for 10 years this month, took part in the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning, where he smiled and greeted the faithful in his “pope mobile”. However, according to AFP photographers, the pope moved with difficulty and appeared to be in severe pain.
The pope, who has been using a wheelchair since May last year due to severe pain in his right knee, spent 10 days in July 2021 at Gemelli Hospital, the same one where he is now hospitalized, for delicate surgery on his colon.
The pope later explained that he had “aftermath” from this operation, ruling out knee surgery.
With AFP
Source: DN
