Pope Francis is in a clinic because of a "respiratory infection".
The stay is more than the first reported "planned investigation".
Update from March 30, 11:25 a.m .:
Shortly before Easter, concerns about Pope Francis are growing.
After the 86-year-old was unexpectedly taken to hospital because of a respiratory infection, believers around the world are praying for the head of the Catholic Church.
Dozens of journalists and camera crews gathered in front of the hospital early Thursday morning.
In the late morning, new details and findings from the Vatican about the health of the 86-year-old are expected.
Update from March 30, 2023, 9.50 a.m .:
According to the Ansa news agency, Pope Francis spent a quiet night after being admitted to hospital for a respiratory infection.
The agency quoted sources from Gemelli Polyclinic in the morning as saying medical staff were "very optimistic" that the pope could be back at the Vatican for Palm Sunday in just a few days.
A spokesman announced that Pope Francis would have to be hospitalized for “a few days”.
Further medical details were not given for the time being.
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Pope Francis is supported by a security guard after Wednesday's general audience.
A little later, the pontiff was hospitalized.
© VINCENZO PINTO/AFP
Concern for Pope Francis: respiratory infection shortly before Easter celebrations
Update from March 30, 2023, 6:38 a.m.:
Pope Francis had to spend the night in a hospital in Rome because of a “respiratory tract infection”.
It is not yet clear how long he will be there.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni spoke of "a few days".
According to consistent media reports, the Argentine also had problems in his heart, which he felt, among other things, after the general audience on Wednesday.
His personal medical supervisor Massimiliano Strappetti then decided to go to the hospital.
In addition to the diagnosis of the respiratory infection, tests did not yield any worrying findings, as the media said.
All appointments of the head of the Catholic Church for Thursday have been canceled, as the Vatican announced.
It is unclear whether Francis will be able to celebrate Palm Sunday and then Holy Week and Easter Sunday – the most important days in the Catholic church year – in the Vatican.
Believers from all over the world prayed for the head of the Catholic Church.
"Pope Francis is touched by the many messages he has received and is grateful for the closeness and prayer," said Bruni.
US President Joe Biden, who is a Catholic himself, called for prayers for Francis at a reception in the White House on Wednesday evening (local time).
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, tweeted a post asking the faithful for prayers for a "speedy recovery" for the Holy Father.
Pope Francis stays longer in the clinic: condition worse than expected
Update from March 29, 2023, 11:23 p.m.:
After being admitted to a clinic, Pope Francis’ state of health is apparently worse than initially announced by the Vatican.
According to the Holy See, the head of the Catholic Church is suffering from a “respiratory infection” and will therefore spend “a few days” in the hospital.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Wednesday evening that the 86-year-old was infected during examinations at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
The pope was therefore tested negative for the corona virus.
All of Francis' appointments scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled.
It was initially unclear whether the Pope would be able to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass next weekend and the celebrations planned for Holy Week and Easter.
Vatican spokesman Bruni said the Pope was hospitalized on Wednesday after complaining of breathing problems.
The infection that has now been identified requires “a few days of appropriate medical treatment in the hospital”.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Vatican said the pontiff had been taken to the hospital for "planned" examinations.
Pope Francis hospitalized – problems more serious?
Media reports contradict Vatican
Update from March 29, 9:40 p.m.:
The Vatican announced in the afternoon that the Pope had been taken to the hospital for a “planned examination”.
But now more and more information is leaking out of the hospital.
According to media reports, heart and respiratory problems are the reason for the pontiff.
Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday morning.
However, the Pope had to cancel a TV interview that was planned afterwards.
Instead, the ambulance took him to the hospital.
Eddy about Pope Francis: examinations in the hospital not planned?
The reports contradict the official statement from the Vatican, according to which the controls were "planned".
In addition, observers in Rome considered it fundamentally unusual that the Pope allegedly planned extensive investigations so shortly before Palm Sunday and the Holy Week before Easter.
The corresponding examinations in the university hospital then gave the all-clear in the evening, according to the Italian news agencies Ansa and Adnkronos, which each quoted sources from the clinic.
It is assumed that the Argentine will spend at least one night in the hospital - his entourage and security personnel were prepared for this in the afternoon.
Pope Francis in the hospital: Vatican announces health problem
Update from March 29, 8:39 p.m
.: Pope Francis suffers from a “respiratory infection” and stays in the clinic for a few days.
The Vatican announced this in the evening.
The 86-year-old has complained of breathing problems in the past few days.
The infection was then found during tests in the hospital.
It is not a corona infection.
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TV reporters gather in front of the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Wednesday evening.
Pope Francis was admitted there in the afternoon.
© ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP
Pope Francis in the hospital – examinations planned in advance
First report from March 29
: Vatican – Pope Francis has been taken to the hospital – according to the Vatican for “pre-planned” examinations.
The head of the Catholic Church has been in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since Wednesday afternoon (March 29), it said.
The Vatican did not comment on these investigations.
In July 2021, the Pope had an operation on his intestines at the Gemelli Hospital.
Francis has also been struggling with knee pain for a long time.
The 86-year-old has been using a cane or a wheelchair for months.
Pope Francis hospitalized – resignation denials in February
At the end of July last year, he announced that he wanted to travel less because of his health problems.
He must "save his powers a little" or "otherwise think about the possibility of stepping aside."
The physical ailments of the pope had fueled speculation that the head of the church might resign.
In February of this year, however, he declared that resigning was "not on my plan at the moment".
(AFP/frs)
List of rubrics: © VINCENZO PINTO/AFP
