Pope Francis is being hospitalized for several days due to a respiratory infection

These are photos of Pope Francis on Wednesday in St. Peters Square, at the Vatican. I havent seen photos of him in a while, and I didnt realize that hes using a wheelchair with such regularity now. I also didnt realize how much weight hes gained in recent months. That was always a health concern

These are photos of Pope Francis on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican. I haven’t seen photos of him in a while, and I didn’t realize that he’s using a wheelchair with such regularity now. I also didn’t realize how much weight he’s gained in recent months. That was always a health concern for Francis – Vatican doctors tried to put him on a low-carb diet because of how much weight he’s gained in recent years. The diet didn’t stick, because that man loves pizza and pasta. Unfortunately, that’s not the only health issue Francis is facing. Shortly after these photos were taken, Francis was checked into the hospital for a respiratory infection. Poor guy.

Pope Francis will be hospitalized for several days for treatment of a respiratory infection, the Vatican said on Wednesday, raising concerns over the health of the pontiff, who is 86 and has a recent history of medical challenges.

“In recent days Pope Francis complained of some respiratory difficulties, and this afternoon he went to Policlinico A. Gemelli for some medical checks,” the Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement, referring to the Rome hospital that traditionally treats popes. “The outcome of these showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid-19 infection) that will require several days of appropriate hospital medical treatment.” He added, “Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”

After his morning audience, Francis — who as a young man survived severe pneumonia and had part of a lung removed — was taken in an ambulance to the Gemelli hospital and underwent a chest CT scan and other tests, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. His entourage expressed “relief” at the results of the medical checks, the news agency said, including his blood’s oxygen saturation, which was apparently fine. Earlier in the day, the Vatican said the hospital visit had been planned.

Francis, who became pope 10 years ago, has knee problems and sciatica that have caused a severe limp and have, in recent months, often required him to use a wheelchair. In the summer of 2021, he underwent major intestinal surgery.

[From The NY Times]

It feels like Pope Francis is just at that moment of his life as an elderly man where everything starts to go wrong. Like, it’s just one medical situation after another, like dominos falling. It’s his weight, it’s the knee problems, it’s his lungs. According to the Vatican spokesperson, Francis had a “good first night” in the hospital and things are looking positive for his recovery.

I absolutely wonder if someone showed him these AI-generated photos where he’s wearing a puffer and attending Burning Man. I hope they gave him some joy this week.

pope francis at burning man (1/2) pic.twitter.com/TQCz5QqqOI

— Michaël Trazzi (@MichaelTrazzi) March 29, 2023

AI-generated image of Pope Francis goes viral on social media. pic.twitter.com/ebfLK4F850

— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 25, 2023

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

Vatican, ITALY – Pope Francis looks frail during his weekly general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. Pictured: Pope Francis BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* Vatican, ITALY – Pope Francis looks frail during his weekly general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. Pictured: Pope Francis BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* Vatican, ITALY – Pope Francis looks frail during his weekly general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. Pictured: Pope Francis BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

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