Doctors Order ‘Absolute Rest’ for Pope Francis Amid Treatment

Doctors have prescribed “absolute rest” for Pope Francis and adjusted his treatment for a respiratory tract infection, the Vatican announced, a day after the 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the hospital following a weeklong bout of bronchitis, Nicole Winfield reported for the Associated Press (AP).

This marks Pope Francis' fourth hospitalization since his election in 2013, raising concerns about his increasingly fragile health. I Photo: Alfredo Borba Wikimedia Commons

On doctors’ orders, Francis will not deliver his traditional Sunday noon blessing, which he could have done from his hospital room if he were well enough.

The Argentine pope, known for his workaholic nature and grueling schedule despite multiple health issues, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday after his bronchitis worsened.

It marks his fourth hospitalization since his election in 2013, raising concerns about his increasingly fragile health.

Preliminary tests confirmed a respiratory tract infection on Saturday. In a late-afternoon bulletin, the Vatican reported that Francis had no fever and that test results showed improvement in some parameters.

The Vatican added that Francis had slept well during a quiet first night in the hospital, ate breakfast, read the newspapers, and received the Eucharist on Saturday. He alternated between rest, prayer, and reading throughout the afternoon.