On the afternoon of March 29, Pope Francis was diagnosed with a respiratory infection at the Gemelli clinic in Rome, which requires a few days of hospitalization. On the evening of Thursday, March 30, the press service of the Holy See announced that the Holy Father, who was diagnosed with bronchitis, responded well to the treatment and is expected to be released from the hospital within a few days.

As is well known, Pope Francis was scheduled to arrive in Hungary on April 28, but due to his hospitalization, many are worried that his three-day visit will be missed. Well, the Magyar Kurír published the Szentszék press release yesterday evening, according to which:

On March 29, according to custom, the Holy Father held the Wednesday general hearing in St. Peter's Square. After that, he was hospitalized.

"For the past few days, Pope Francis has been complaining of breathing difficulties and this afternoon he went to the Gemelli clinic to undergo a medical examination. As a result, a respiratory infection was detected (Covid-19 infection was ruled out), which required a few days of hospital treatment. Pope Francis was moved by the many messages he received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayers."

On March 30, a few minutes after 8 p.m., the director of the Szentszék press center, Matteo Bruni, announced:

Pope Francis spent the afternoon at the Gemelli clinic, devoting himself to rest, prayer and some work tasks."

The press center also presented the statement that was sent to them by the hospital medical staff monitoring the Pope's condition:

"During the planned hospital check-ups, the Holy Father was diagnosed with acute bronchitis, for which reason antibiotic treatment in the form of infusion had to be used, which brought the expected effect and resulted in a significant improvement in his health. The Holy Father is expected to be allowed home in the coming days."

A few hours earlier, Matteo Bruni, director of the press service of the Holy See, issued the following statement regarding the Pope's hospitalization: "His Holiness Pope Francis rested during the night. His clinical condition is gradually improving and the treatment prescribed for him continues. Today, after breakfast, he read some newspapers and started work. Before lunch, he went to the small chapel of his private apartment, where he lingered in prayer and partook of the Eucharist."

Source: Hungarian Kurír/Szentszék Press Center

Photo: Vatican News