Report: Pope Francis taken to Rome hospital suffering from flu; back at Vatican
ByDebbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Pope Francis taken to the hospital Pope Francis is delivering his speech during his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, on January 31, 2024. The pope was taken to the hospital on Feb. 28, 2024 for tests, but returned to the Vatican. (Photo by Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto via Getty Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
ByDebbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Pope Francis has been taken to a hospital in Rome for a check-up, Italian news agency ANSA reported on Wednesday, but has since returned to the Vatican, officials there said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the pope was pushed in a wheelchair into the audience hall at the Vatican, appearing weary as he dropped heavily into his seat, The Associated Press reported. In recent weeks, he has walked the short distance to his chair.
The Vatican called the illness “a mild flu” and reported he had canceled appointments on Saturday and Monday.
Francis had part of a lung removed when he was younger and has suffered from some respiratory issues recently.
In April, he spent three days at the Gemelli Hospital for what the Vatican said was bronchitis. He was discharged after receiving intravenous antibiotics.
In late November, he suffered breathing problems causing him to cancel an international trip. A scan at the time ruled out lung complications.
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Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the airplane heading to Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)
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Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit A member of Iraq's security forces keep watch in Baghdad on March 5, 2021, hours before the start of Pope Francis' first visit to Iraq. (AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit Christians gather at the Church of the Virgin Mary before going to the airport to welcome the Pope in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit Iraqi Christians gather at the Church of the Virgin Mary before going to the airport to welcome the Pope in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit Iraqi security forces stand guard by a mural depicting Pope Francis outside of Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the airplane heading to Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)
Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the airplane heading to Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)
Photos: Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first-ever papal visit Pope Francis prepares to leave from Fiumicino's International airport Leonardo da Vinci, near Rome, for Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
