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Pope Francis has been admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital due to a respiratory tract infection and mild fever, according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff was in "fair" condition by the evening of February 14 and was receiving drug therapy. The Vatican stated that his hospitalization was "as a result of the exacerbation of bronchitis in recent days."
Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, reported that Pope Francis is "serene, in good humor and read some newspapers." Earlier announcements indicated that after completing his morning meetings, the pope would be "admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue, in a hospital setting, treatment for bronchitis that is still ongoing."
Before heading to the hospital, Pope Francis met privately with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN. He also had a group meeting with members of the Gaudium et Spes Foundation. Christopher Lamb, CNN's Vatican correspondent who attended the meeting with Thompson, noted that "the pope was mentally alert but struggling to speak for extended periods due to breathing difficulties," as reported by CNN.
The pope is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. In a subsequent statement on February 14, the Vatican announced cancellations of various papal events. The Jubilee general audience scheduled for February 15 will not occur; Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça will celebrate Mass on February 16 instead of Pope Francis. Additionally, the pope's planned visit to Cinecittà on February 17 has been canceled.
Television crews have set up at Rome’s Gemelli hospital following Pope Francis's admission for tests and treatment. Having undergone surgery in 1957 to remove part of one lung after a severe respiratory infection, he has since been prone to colds and bronchitis.
Since his weekly general audience on February 5, aides have read most of his homilies and speeches at public events due to his difficulty speaking. On multiple occasions during public appearances from February 5 through February 12, he apologized for not delivering talks himself because of ongoing issues with bronchitis.
Despite health challenges, Pope Francis maintained meetings with individuals and small groups at his residence rather than more formal settings until entering the hospital. This is not his first stay at Gemelli hospital; he was previously hospitalized there in March 2023 for a respiratory infection and underwent hernia surgery in June 2023.
