The first tests carried out on Pope
Francis have revealed he has a respiratory tract infection, the
Vatican press office said on Friday.
The pontiff decided to go to Rome's Gemelli hospital for
treatment and tests after suffering bronchitis and breathing
problems, the Vatican said earlier in the day.
The Vatican press office explained later on Friday that the
pontiff, after his bronchitis worsened, "carried out specialist
exams and has started a pharmacological therapy" at the hospital
where he is being treated.
"The first exams carried out show a respiratory tract
infection", said the Vatican press office.
"The clinical conditions are discreet" and he has a "slight"
fever, it added.
Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See's press office, said
the "pope is serene, he is in a good mood, he has also read a
few dailies".
The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff could remain at the Gemelli
for up to five days, sources close to the pontiff's entourage
who are with him at the hospital said.
The Vatican said that a Jubilee audience scheduled for Saturday
and the pope's visit to Rome's Cinecittà studios on Monday for a
meeting with artists had been cancelled.
It said that Sunday's Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Artists and
the World of Culture will be now presided over by Cardinal José
Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and
Education.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
