Pope Francis blesses a visitor on March 29, 2023 through the weekly common viewers at St. Peter’s sq. in The Vatican.

Vincenzo Pinto/AFP through Getty Pictures

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Vincenzo Pinto/AFP through Getty Pictures

Pope Francis blesses a visitor on March 29, 2023 through the weekly common viewers at St. Peter’s sq. in The Vatican.

Vincenzo Pinto/AFP through Getty Pictures

ROME — The Vatican says Pope Francis has been taken to a Rome hospital after complaining of respiratory difficulties.

Earlier the Vatican claimed the go to was for a beforehand scheduled check-up.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni’s second assertion stated that hospital assessments confirmed Francis is affected by a respiratory an infection, however they dominated out COVID.

Bruni stated the pope will stay within the hospital for a number of days.

The pope has diverticulitis, a situation that may infect or inflame the colon. He underwent surgical procedure in 2021 to take away a part of his colon.

Earlier this yr he had stated the situation had returned, however that he was not overly involved.

Francis is because of have a good time Palm Sunday Mass this weekend, the beginning of quite a few ceremonies, together with Good Friday and culminating with Easter Sunday on April 9.

Francis visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February. It was first papal go to since to the DRC since 1985, and the first by a pope since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.