Pope Francis hospitalized: Live updates – Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis “rests well through the night” and has “no febrile episodes,” as he continues treatment for bronchitis at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni tells journalists Sunday morning.

“After a peaceful night, the Holy Father has breakfast and reads several newspapers, as is his habit,” Bruni adds. Medical assessments and necessary treatments are continuing.

While doctors have prescribed complete rest, the 88-year-old pontiff prepares a special Angelus message for publication, focusing on art’s power to unite humanity and including prayers for regions torn by conflict.

Pope Francis “rested all night” and presented “no febrile episodes,” the Vatican says as the Holy Father continues to recover from bronchitis at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

The pope had been admitted to the hospital on Friday after suffering from bronchitis for several days. He was found to have a respiratory tract infection and a slight fever upon admittance.

Following his overnight stay, the pope’s treatment was “slightly modified” after “further microbiological findings,” the Vatican says, adding that Saturday’s tests “found improvement in some values.”

“During the morning he received holy Eucharist, then alternated rest with prayer and reading,“ the Vatican says.

“To facilitate the recovery, the medical staff prescribed absolute rest; therefore, on tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 16, the Holy Father will not lead the Angelus prayer; nevertheless, he intended to send the text for its publication,“ the Holy See Press Office adds.

The pope “has been updated of the many messages of closeness and affection received and expresses his gratitude, while asking for continued prayers for him,“ the Vatican says.

Pope Francis spends a “peaceful night” and reads several newspapers Saturday morning following his admission to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis, according to the Vatican.

“The Holy Father had a good night’s sleep. This morning he had breakfast and read several newspapers,” Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, tells journalists Feb. 15.

“Medical assessments and necessary treatments are continuing.”

The Holy See Press Office releases an update on the pope’s condition: “The first examinations performed show a respiratory tract infection. The clinical condition is fair; he presents mild febrile alteration.”

The pope is serene, his mood is good, and he has read a few newspapers, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.

Catholic leaders across the U.S. and the world unite in prayer Friday for Pope Francis after it was reported the 88-year-old had been hospitalized with bronchitis. 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) shares on social media that the bishops “join in prayer for the Holy Father during his hospitalization.”

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, the community of friars founded in 1987 by Mother Angelica, also offers a prayer for Pope Francis:

Pope Francis has spent much of the past decade as pope in relatively good health but has dealt with several painful medical conditions over the last few years.

The respiratory infection is the latest health challenge for the 88-year-old pope, who has been struggling with breathlessness, which has prevented him on several recent occasions from reading the entirety of his speech or homily.

The pope was also treated for a contusion on his right forearm after falling at his residence last month and suffered a facial injury and cold during the Christmas season.

Here is a timeline charting Pope Francis’ recent health concerns.

The Vatican says the pontiff’s schedule was cleared through at least the morning of Feb. 17 while he undergoes “diagnostic tests” and treatment.

The Vatican also says that due to Pope Francis’ hospitalization, his appointments for the following three days were canceled. In particular, he will no longer hold a jubilee audience at the Vatican on Saturday, Feb. 15, or a meeting with artists at the historic Cinecittà film studios south of Rome on Feb. 17.

Pope Francis is admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old pope was hospitalized in the late morning on Feb. 14 following meetings with a number of people, including the prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico.

The Catholic News Agency (CNA) Staff is a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Washington, D.C., and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. CNA is a service of EWTN News. You can contact us at news@catholicna.com with questions.