Pope ‘improving’ after night in hospital with breathing issues, Vatican says

By AFP 30 March 2023, 2:55 pm

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Pope Francis helped to get on his car at the end of weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, March 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’s health is improving after spending a night in hospital with a respiratory infection, the Vatican announces, saying the 86-year-old had eaten breakfast, read the newspapers and even done some work.

The pope “rested well during the night. His clinical picture is gradually improving and he is continuing his planned treatment,” spokesman Matteo Bruni says in a statement.

“This morning after breakfast, he read some newspapers and resumed work. Before lunch, he went to the little chapel of the private (hospital) apartment where he prayed and he received the Eucharist.”

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday for what the Vatican said were pre-planned checks.

It later revealed he had complained of breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with a respiratory infection, but not Covid, and required “a few days” of hospital treatment.