"Complex picture"

Worries about the Pope: Vatican gives health update

Pope Francis has been suffering from a respiratory infection for a week and is now being treated in hospital. All of the 88-year-old's appointments have been canceled.

(Bild: AFP)

Great concern for Pope Francis! The 88-year-old head of the Church had to be admitted to hospital on Friday. Now the Vatican has issued a new (worrying) health update. 

The Pope will probably have to stay longer in the "Agostino Gemelli" hospital, where he has been since Friday due to bronchitis. According to a new diagnosis published by the Vatican, the 88-year-old is suffering from a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract", which is why his treatment is being changed.

"Complex clinical picture"
"All the examinations carried out so far indicate a complex clinical picture that requires appropriate hospitalization," it said in a Vatican statement.

The "Agostino Gemelli" hospital in Rome

(Bild: AP/The Associated Press)

The Pope spent "a quiet night" in hospital, his spokesman Matteo Bruni had previously announced. Francis had "rested well, spent a quiet night, had breakfast and devoted himself to reading the newspapers." He was in a good mood, Bruni said.

Due to his health problems, the Pope will not take part in the events to mark the Jubilee Year of Deacons next Sunday as planned. All events of the Holy Year will continue as planned, the Vatican announced.

The Pope called us from the hospital. His voice sounded tired, but he was in a good mood.

Papst-Sprecher Matteo Bruni

Telephone conversation with parish
The Pontiff had a telephone conversation with the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza. "The Pope called us from the hospital. His voice sounded tired, but he was in a good mood. He wanted to know how we were doing," reported an employee of the parish, according to media reports. In recent months, the Pope has very often called the parish priest of Gaza, Father Gabriel Romanelli, to express his closeness to the people of Gaza

Further appointments canceled
Francis did not attend the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday afternoon. The doctors treating the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church had ordered "absolute rest". The Pope was due to visit the Roman film studios Cinecittà on Monday and celebrate mass with the artists there. He had to cancel the appointment due to his hospitalization.