Pope Francis hospitalized after bronchitis diagnosis [Video]

Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday to treat a weeklong bout of bronchitis and undergo some necessary diagnostic tests, the Vatican said, confirming the latest issues with the 88-year-old pontiff’s health.

Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis last Thursday, but he has continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite, attended his general audience Wednesday and even presided at an outdoor mass on Sunday. 

He has, however, handed off his speeches to an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing. Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has long battled health problems, especially long bouts of acute bronchitis in winter.

Ever since his diagnosis, Francis has appeared bloated, an indication the medication he was taking to treat the lung infection was making him retain water. 

Francis is at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was last hospitalized in June 2023 to have surgery …