Pope Francis has been hospitalized with a respiratory infection, the Vatican has confirmed. As reported by <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65117270">BBC News</a>, the 86-year-old pontiff is expected to require "a few days of appropriate hospital medical therapy" of care in a hospital in Rome after falling ill and having difficulty breathing. The statement from the Vatican also added that The Pope's illness is not Covid. At this time, the Vatican says that "Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer." <img class="size-large wp-image-1263203456" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/03/ThePopeFI-1-1024x534.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="534" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Massimo Valicchia / Alamy]] Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni issued a statement to the press on Wednesday that confirmed that The Pope's illness was detected as he attended "some previously scheduled check-ups". It came after Pope Francis presided over the General Audience in St Peter's Square on Wednesday morning, <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-scheduled-check-up-gemelli-hospital.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Vatican</a> confirms. The Independent reports that The Pope "appeared in good health", but did require some assistance getting into a vehicle - during which, he was seen "grimacing". A source told BBC News that Pope Francis is receiving treatment at Gemelli Hospital and is expected to be surrounded by his closest staff and a security team. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/VaticanNews/status/1641153478738231325]] The Vatican has confirmed that The Pope's diary has been cleared for Thursday, in order "to make space for the continuation of tests should that be necessary." Pope Francis has always been an active supreme pontiff, despite a series of mobility issues that have forced him to use a wheelchair in recent months. It is reported that these mobility problems stem from issues with his knee. Back in 2021, he also underwent surgery in order to treat a colon problem - also at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Despite the condition returning in January, he has still been able to carry out visits to places like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo last month. Pope Francis took over from his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, after the latter voluntarily stepped down due to poor health back in February 2013. This marked this first time a pope had opted to step down in centuries. However, per BBC News, Pope Francis did hint back in January that he may also choose to surrender his position as the head of the worldwide Catholic Church if he feels his health has deteriorated to a point where he can no longer fulfil his duties. <h6>Featured image credit: Marco Campagna / Alamy</h6>

Pope Francis hospitalized with 'respiratory infection', the Vatican confirms

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