Pope Francis sent to Rome hospital to be tested for flu

Rome. – The Vatican announced that 87-year-old Pope Francis had been suffering from a “mild flu” for several days and was tested at a Rome hospital on Wednesday morning.

“After the General Audience, Pope Francis went to the Gemelli Hospital on Tiber Island for follow-up examinations before returning to the Vatican,” the Holy See announced in a statement.

AFP photographers observed the Argentine pope’s white Fiat 500 leaving the hospital in the center of the Italian capital under police escort at around 12:00 (11:00 GMT).

Jorge Bergoglio held his weekly public audience at the Vatican this morning, but did not read out his words.

“I still have a bit of a cold,” he apologized, his voice cracking in front of thousands of worshippers, and delegated the reading to a collaborator.

The pope canceled appointments for Saturday and Monday but held Angelus prayers on Sunday.

Francisco, who uses a wheelchair, has experienced a series of health problems in recent years, particularly with his knees, hips and colon.

He also underwent abdominal surgery in June and canceled a trip to Dubai for COP28 in December due to bronchitis.

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fountain: According to Agence France-Presse