Concerns Mount for Pope Francis as Hospital Stay Prolongs Due to Health Issues

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Pope Francis, 88, remains hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital due to a "polymicrobial respiratory tract infection," according to spokesman Matteo Bruni. The Vatican announced that the pontiff’s test results indicate a "complex clinical picture," necessitating an extended hospital stay, although no specific timeline has been provided.

Bruni reported that Pope Francis is in "good spirits," having eaten breakfast and read the newspapers while continuing to make phone calls to parish members in Gaza from his hospital bed. Previously suffering from bronchitis for over a week, the pontiff had insisted on completing his Friday morning audiences before seeking medical attention.

The pope's health has raised concerns, as he struggled with shortness of breath in the days leading up to his hospitalization. His next public engagements include a scheduled weekly audience on Wednesday and the ordination of deacons on Sunday, both of which are under review due to his current condition. This is not the first health scare for the pope; he was previously hospitalized for pneumonia in 2023 and underwent surgery for an abdominal hernia the same year.

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