ROME (AP) — Pope Francis went to the hospital Saturday morning with the flu, but tests ruled out a respiratory illness, the Vatican said.
Spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francisco had part of his lung removed when he was young and underwent a CT scan.
Bruni said in a statement that Francisco had been treated for a respiratory infection at Gemelli Hospital several months ago and the test was to rule out respiratory disease and the result was negative.
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Hours earlier, the Vatican said the pope had canceled his audience for the day because of the flu.
The Argentine pope plans to travel to Dubai on Friday to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, a global challenge that has been of great concern to Pope Francis during his tenure.
Francisco will turn 87 in December. Asked about his health in a recent interview, the pope jokingly repeated his standard answer: “I’m alive. Already know”.