ROME: Pope Francis was admitted to hospital on Friday for tests and treatment for bronchitis, the latest in a series of health problems for the 88-year-old pontiff.

Pope Francis, who has been breathless in recent days and has delegated officials to read his speeches, held his morning meetings as planned before heading to Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the Vatican said. He was hospitalised for “some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue treatment for ongoing bronchitis in a hospital setting”, it said.

A couple of hours later, it said two audiences due to be held by the pope on Saturday and Monday have been cancelled, while a cardinal will lead mass on Sunday in Pope Francis’s place.

The Argentine pontiff, who took over as head of the Catholic Church in 2013, will be staying at the Gemelli in a suite used exclusively by popes, which has its own chapel.

The pope, who had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man, has been suffering with breathing difficulties for over a week, asking aides several times to read his speeches aloud on his behalf.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2025