• Pope Francis was hospitalized for several days following a respiratory infection
• Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the clergy leader did not have COVID-19
• The latest development marks the pope's first hospitalization since getting 13 inches of his colon removed in Rome in July 2021

Pope Francis was reportedly hospitalized and will have to be monitored for several days after he was found to have a respiratory infection which caused him to have difficulty breathing in the last few days.

The Vatican's announcement on Wednesday included spokesman Matteo Bruni saying that the 86-year-old clergy leader did not have the coronavirus disease. However, he noted that the pope's condition would need several days of therapy.

Pope Francis Hospitalized

In his statement, Bruni said that Pope Francis was touched by the many messages he received and wanted to express his gratitude to the people for the closeness and prayers. The recent development marks the pope's first hospitalization after spending ten days at the Gemelli hospital in Rome in July 2021 to remove 13 inches of his colon, as per CBS News.

The situation prompted immediate questions regarding the pope's overall health and his ability to celebrate the upcoming Holy Week events set to start this weekend with Palm Sunday.

The Vatican spokesman noted that the pope has already been suffering with his breathing in the past few days and had to go to Gemelli for tests. Bruni added that treating the respiratory infection would require a few days of medical therapy.

Pope Francis appeared to be in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience on Wednesday. However, he grimaced strongly when getting in and out of the "popemobile."

The Holy Week celebrations come before a scheduled visit to Hungary at the end of April. Initially, the Vatican said Pope Francis had visited a hospital for a scheduled check-up. But this claim was questioned after officials canceled a television interview at short notice, according to BBC.

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The Clergy Leader's Health Condition

United States President Joe Biden reacted to the Vatican's announcement by asking people to make an "extra prayer" for the pope's recovery. The Democrat also described the clergy leader as one of the "most Christ-like figures I've ever met."

Several people in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the home city of Pope Francis, shared their feelings following the announcement. Daniel Saco, one resident, said that the pontiff should start asking himself if he can continue his duty.

In a statement, Victoria Veira, originally from Brazil, said that the situation is very sad because she feels represented as a Latin American by Pope Francis. She noted that the pontiff is very open-minded and human.

Previously in December 2020, the pope suffered from a bout of sciatic pain that kept him from presiding at the Vatican's liturgies on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The problem has persisted for several years, and he spoke about the pain he felt during a press conference in July 2013, said the Catholic News Agency.

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