The Vatican on Wednesday said that Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome, after complaining of breathing difficulties in recent days. 

Canceling the Pope’s meetings for the next two days, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that medical checks were carried out on the 86-year-old at the Gemili hospital and a respiratory infection was spotted. 

Also read: Was Audrey Hale wearing different shoes while entering Nashville school than moment they were killed? Vans logo conspiracy explored

“In recent days Pope Francis has complained of some breathing difficulties,” Bruni said, issuing a statement. Adding that Covid 19 has been ruled out, he said that the pope would still “require a few days of hospital medical therapy.” 

Francis’s hospitalization has raised doubts over whether he will be present for the Vatican’s Holy Week activities. Francis is also due to celebrate Palm Sunday this week, which will formally kick off the Holy Week. 

Also read: Ike Perlmutter: Net worth, age, wife Laura Perlmutter, family, career and more

After beginning with Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the Holy Week ends with Easter Sunday, which celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

At the moment it is not clear if Francis will be there to kick off the celebrations at the Vatican. So far, the Vatican has canceled his appointments for the next two days only, which means officially he is still set to attend Palm Sunday this weekend.

Also read: Audrey Hale, Nashville shooting suspect, dressed up as trans actress Eliott Page for Spring Week every year: Report

When he was still young, Francis had a part of his lung removed due to a respiratory infection. More recently, in 2021, he underwent an intestinal narrowing surgery. Since last year, he has been using a wheelchair due to a strained ligament in his right knee as well as a small knee fracture.