Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported on Saturday (15) that Pope Francis “slept well” and spent a first “quiet” night at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where “continues to receive treatment” because of a one respiratory infection.
The pontiff, which was hospitalized yesterday by bronchitis, also “read some newspapers” and “had a good breakfast,” Bruni told reporters in the Vatican press room.
Later, the Vatican confirmed that the Pope did not present “feverish episode” but exams performed found the infection of the airway. Other laboratory tests recorded “improvements of some values”. Francis will not lead the Angelus prayer tomorrow (16), because the medical team prescribed “absolute rest.” However, the pontiff made a point of sending the text to be published.
In addition, the medical report tells that “therapy was slightly modified based on other microbiological results”. Pope Francis thanked the messages of affection he has received and asks them to continue praying for him.
The 88-year-old pontiff suffers from bronchitis, which prevented him from reading some speeches in recent days and eventually forced him to be hospitalized for diagnostic examinations and continuation of treatment.
“The Holy Father, after the persistence of bronchitis in recent days, has undergone specialized exams and started hospital drug therapy,” the Vatican said last night.
The tests “showed a respiratory tract infection,” the statement said, adding that his clinical condition was “moderate” and that he had “a light fever.”
Francisco canceled his appearances in hearings until next Monday, as his presence at the artists’ jubilee and his visit to Cinecittà movie studios in Rome – as a result, he is expected to remain hospitalized at least until that date.
Since early February, the Pope explained that he was suffering from a “strong cold,” as he himself declared at the overall hearing on the 5th. In the following days he held his hearings, but from his residence, House Santa Marta.