Pope’s hospitalisation extended to treat ‘complex’ condition, Vatican says

Pope Francis’s respiratory tract infection has presented a “complex clinical picture” requiring further hospitalisation, the Vatican says.

According to Matteo Bruni, a spokesman for the Vatican, the pope is suffering from a “polymicrobial respiratory tract infection” that has necessitated a change in his medication regimen.

There was no timeframe given for his hospitalisation, which has already sidelined Francis for longer than a 2023 hospitalisation for pneumonia.

Bruni claimed the pope was “in good spirits” and that the complexity of his symptoms “will require an appropriate hospital stay.”

Concerns about the 88-year-old pontiff’s health have increased since his admission to Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, on Friday after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened.

Some activities related to the Vatican’s Jubilee Holy Year have already been forced to be canceled as a result of Pope Francis’ hospitalization, which also raises questions.

The pope’s scheduled weekly meeting in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday was postponed, according to the Vatican because he remained hospitalized.

Prior to the pope’s doctors’ earlier order, Francis had to take the pope’s usual weekly prayer to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday and perform a Mass for artists to celebrate the Catholic Church’s jubilee year.

Pilgrims who were in the Vatican on Monday expressed optimism about the pope’s recovery.

“We certainly wish for him to get better very quickly”, said Reverend Tyler Carter, a Catholic priest from the United States.

“He is our father and our shepherd, and so we want his continued health and blessing”.

Manuel Rossi, a tourist from the Italian city of Milan, said he was “quite worried” when the pope cancelled his appearance on Sunday.

“I am 18 years old, so I have seen a few popes in my life and am very close to him”, Rossi said.

“I hope he recovers as soon as possible”.

After battling a pulmonary infection as a young man, Francis had one lung removed.

Despite having a more fragile health, the Argentinian pope is a well-known workaholic.