Public figures are just like the rest of us. They have colds, infections, and other health issues and have to seek medical attention. Unlike the common man, when they do this, it winds up on the front page.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 86-year-old Pope Francis went to the hospital for tests because he had been ill. The diagnosis was a non-COVID respiratory infection that will see him staying in the hospital for a few days for treatment. The pope's handlers were relieved that the diagnosis was not more serious.
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesperson, addressed this in a statement. “In recent days Pope Francis complained of some respiratory difficulties, and this afternoon he went to Policlinico A. Gemelli for some medical checks,” Bruni explained. “The outcome of these showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid-19 infection) that will require several days of appropriate hospital medical treatment. Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”
On the day he went to the hospital, Pope Francis conducted his normal morning audience. The hospital trip was already planned for after his morning duties. He had a CT scan and other diagnostic tests, which showed his blood’s oxygen saturation was at a good level.
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Pope Francis has had his share of medical issues in his past. When he was young, he survived severe pneumonia and had a portion of his lung removed. More recently, he has struggled with knee pain and sciatica, which have caused him to limp and require the use of a wheelchair. He underwent intestinal surgery in the summer of 2021.
To learn more about the pope’s health, watch this video.
