Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital with a respiratory infection. The 86-year-old as per the Vatican will have to stay in the hospital for a few days. While a COVID-19 infection has been ruled out, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni in a statement revealed that "in recent days Pope Francis has complained of some breathing difficulties." As per AFP, the pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital for medical checks. Upon checkup, he was revealed to have been suffering from "a respiratory infection... that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment."

Watch |&nbsp;AI-generated pic of Pope Francis in bougie puffer jacket goes viral

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The Pope, who recently completed 10 years as the head of the Catholic Church, was unexpectedly taken to the hospital "for tests". Local media reported he was taken in an ambulance.

While the Pope's staff claimed that the tests had been pre-scheduled, Italian media has thrown doubt on this. They say that the pontiff actually had an interview scheduled for "this afternoon" (Wednesday) and that it was cancelled at the last moment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netizens-fooled-by-ai-generated-viral-images-of-pope-francis-in-white-puffer-jacket-576446">Netizens fooled by AI-generated viral images of Pope Francis in white puffer jacket</a>

The Vatican said that the Pope's schedule has been cleared to make way for further tests and that "Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-extends-law-to-hold-lower-rung-leaders-responsible-for-sex-abuse-575700">Pope extends law ambit to hold lower-rung leaders responsible for sex abuse</a>

During his weekly audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis as per Reuters appeared to be in good spirits. AFP reports that the head of the Catholic church suffers from chronic knee pain and in recent months has been forced to use a wheelchair because of that.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital with a respiratory infection. The 86-year-old as per the Vatican will have to stay in the hospital for a few days.

Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital with a respiratory infection. The 86-year-old as per the Vatican will have to stay in the hospital for a few days. While a COVID-19 infection has been ruled out, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni in a statement revealed that "in recent days Pope Francis has complained of some breathing difficulties." As per AFP, the pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital for medical checks. Upon checkup, he was revealed to have been suffering from "a respiratory infection... that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment." Watch | AI-generated pic of Pope Francis in bougie puffer jacket goes viral The Pope, who recently completed 10 years as the head of the Catholic Church, was unexpectedly taken to the hospital "for tests". Local media reported he was taken in an ambulance. While the Pope's staff claimed that the tests had been pre-scheduled, Italian media has thrown doubt on this. They say that the pontiff actually had an interview scheduled for "this afternoon" (Wednesday) and that it was cancelled at the last moment. Also read | Netizens fooled by AI-generated viral images of Pope Francis in white puffer jacket The Vatican said that the Pope's schedule has been cleared to make way for further tests and that "Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer." Also read | Pope extends law ambit to hold lower-rung leaders responsible for sex abuse During his weekly audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis as per Reuters appeared to be in good spirits. AFP reports that the head of the Catholic church suffers from chronic knee pain and in recent months has been forced to use a wheelchair because of that. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pope Francis rushed to hospital with respiratory infection; Vatican says it's not Covid

Pope Francis ushered in the New Year on Friday with a traditional Angelus blessing from the papal library, pushing through nerve pain that forced him to skip New Year's ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica.

The pope was unable to attend services on Thursday and again on Friday morning because of sciatica,&nbsp;a relatively common problem that causes pain along the sciatic nerve down the lower back and legs.

It was believed to be the first time since he became pope in 2013 that Francis, who turned 84 last month, has been prevented by health reasons from leading a major papal event.

However, he showed no sign of discomfort as he delivered a noon address and prayer, standing at a lectern in the library of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.

The papal blessing was moved inside from the usual perch at a window overlooking St. Peter's Square to discourage crowds as Italy is living under tighter COVID-19 restrictions this holiday season.

"Life today is governed by war, by enmity, by many things that are destructive. We want peace. It is a gift," Francis said, adding that the response to the global coronavirus crisis showed the importance of burden-sharing.

"The painful events that marked humanity's journey last year, especially the pandemic, taught us how much it is necessary to take an interest in the problems of others and to share their concerns," he said.

Pope highlighted, in particular, his worries about Yemen, where children are living ''without education, without medicine, hungry''&nbsp;and for the release of the Rev. Moses Chikwe, a bishop in the Owerri archdiocese of Nigeria, who was kidnapped last Sunday by gunmen.

Yemen has been blighted by six years of violence that has pitted a Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.&nbsp;

"I express my sorrow and concern for the further escalation of violence in Yemen, which is causing numerous innocent victims," Francis said. "Let us think of the children of Yemen, without education, without medicine, famished."

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Pope Francis ushered in the New Year on Friday with a traditional Angelus blessing from the papal library, pushing through nerve pain that forced him to skip New Year's ceremonies in St.

Pope Francis ushered in the New Year on Friday with a traditional Angelus blessing from the papal library, pushing through nerve pain that forced him to skip New Year's ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica. The pope was unable to attend services on Thursday and again on Friday morning because of sciatica, a relatively common problem that causes pain along the sciatic nerve down the lower back and legs. It was believed to be the first time since he became pope in 2013 that Francis, who turned 84 last month, has been prevented by health reasons from leading a major papal event. However, he showed no sign of discomfort as he delivered a noon address and prayer, standing at a lectern in the library of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. The papal blessing was moved inside from the usual perch at a window overlooking St. Peter's Square to discourage crowds as Italy is living under tighter COVID-19 restrictions this holiday season. "Life today is governed by war, by enmity, by many things that are destructive. We want peace. It is a gift," Francis said, adding that the response to the global coronavirus crisis showed the importance of burden-sharing. "The painful events that marked humanity's journey last year, especially the pandemic, taught us how much it is necessary to take an interest in the problems of others and to share their concerns," he said. Pope highlighted, in particular, his worries about Yemen, where children are living ''without education, without medicine, hungry'' and for the release of the Rev. Moses Chikwe, a bishop in the Owerri archdiocese of Nigeria, who was kidnapped last Sunday by gunmen. Yemen has been blighted by six years of violence that has pitted a Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. "I express my sorrow and concern for the further escalation of violence in Yemen, which is causing numerous innocent victims," Francis said. "Let us think of the children of Yemen, without education, without medicine, famished."

Pope reappears after pain flare-up, gives New Year's blessing

In a landmark, Pope Francis move has endorsed same-sex civil unions. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why the Vatican is not surprised.

Gravitas: Pope Francis endorses same-sex civil unions

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Pope Francis rushed to hospital with respiratory infection; Vatican says it's not Covid

Pope reappears after pain flare-up, gives New Year's blessing

Gravitas: Pope Francis endorses same-sex civil unions