Pope Francis remains in the hospital as of Feb. 17, in what the Vatican said remains a complex medical episode as he deals with bronchitis.
The pope, 88, has been dealing with the respiratory illness for more than a week and was hospitalized at the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli in Rome on Feb. 14 after he reportedly struggled to speak at one of his meetings earlier that day.
“All tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require appropriate hospitalization.”
The Vatican said the pope’s weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square, scheduled for Feb. 19, has been canceled.
It was not clear from the Vatican’s statements whether the pope’s respiratory tract infection was bacterial or viral.
While a bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections cannot. Viruses typically have to run their course, but a patient can be assisted with other medicines to help their body fight the infection or bring down their fever.
The Epoch Times reached out to the media office of the Holy See for further details about the pope’s condition but didn’t receive a response by publication time.
Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the octogenarian pontiff remains in good spirits despite his hospitalization.
The Vatican’s official news service said the pope was able to speak with Catholic parishioners in the Gaza Strip on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, as has been a regular custom of his throughout nearly 15 months of fighting there between Israeli forces and Hamas.
“We heard his voice. It is true, he is more tired. He himself said, ‘I have to take care of myself.’ But you could hear the clear voice, he listened to us well,” Gabriel Romanelli, the priest who has led the Gaza parish, said.
Pope Francis again communicated with the Gaza-based parish on Feb. 16, this time by text.
“There was no expectation in the Holy Family people for the pope’s call. Yet the pope, regardless, sent the pastor of the parish a message saying he thanked Fr. Romanelli for the parish’s closeness and prayers and reciprocated with his blessing,” the Gaza parish said, according to the Vatican’s news service.
Pope Francis also shared a post on social media platform X on Feb. 16, offering his appreciation for those who have shared support during his hospitalization.
