Pope Francis has been diagnosed with “acute bronchitis but no cardiac complications,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
Pope Francis spent the night and this Thursday in the hospital in Gemelli, “after dedicating himself to rest, prayer and some work,” Bruni said.
“During the clinical trials planned for the Holy Father, an infectious bronchitis was found that required the administration of an antibiotic therapy in an infusion that produced the expected effects with a marked improvement in the state of health. Based on the expected result, it was possible to the Holy Father will be discharged in the coming days,” says a note from the medical team following the Pope and sent by the Holy See.
The pope wrote on Twitter on Thursday that he was “moved by the many messages” he received and expressed his “gratitude” to everyone for the prayers.
I am moved by the many messages received in these hours and I express my gratitude to everyone for their closeness and prayers.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex_pt) March 30, 2023
Meanwhile, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, announced that he himself would celebrate Easter Mass, but that the Pope would have to be present in St. Peter’s Basilica and deliver the Urbi et Orbi message.
The Italian press had reported that the pope had revealed “breathing difficulties” late yesterday morning and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
The pope had part of a lung removed when he was young because of a respiratory infection, which explains the way he speaks, almost in a whisper.
In a recent interview with the US news agency Associated Press, Francisco revealed that he suffered from diverticulitis again, the problem that led him to undergo a surgical procedure in 2021 to remove part of his colon, but he was in good health. health.
Since then, his only visible health problem has been his right knee, which requires him to move around in a wheelchair, after stating several times that he does not want to have surgery due to the negative reaction he had to the anesthesia in the Operation 2021.
Francis has already said he could resign, as his predecessor Benedict XVI did, if his health prevents him from continuing his work.
In this sense, the Pope revealed in December 2022 that he has signed a letter of resignation that will be used in case he is no longer able to perform his duties for health reasons.
Source: DN
