Pope Francis hospitalized with heart problems, respiratory infection

[Stevicus]

MSN

The pope went to the hospital for a checkup, according to the Vatican, but had been experiencing difficulty breathing prior. Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the pope was at Gemelli Hospital "for some previously scheduled checkups."

According to the Telegraph, Francis was transported to the hospital via ambulance.

The Vatican News reported that Francis has not tested positive for COVID-19 but he will be hospitalized for a "few days." His schedule has been cleared for Thursday and Friday.

In July, Francis hinted he may scale back on traveling due to his physical condition and was open to the possibility of retiring.

"It's a natural option, but until today I haven't knocked on that door. I haven't said it's going to go in that direction, I haven't felt the need to think about this possibility. But that doesn't mean that the day after tomorrow, I won't start thinking about it, right? But right now, sincerely, I am not," Francis said.

Francis' predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, resigned the papacy at age 85 on Feb. 11, 2013 -- becoming the first pope to resign in 600 years.

I was wondering how it worked, like if the Pope is in the hospital or something like that. Do they have someone to fill in as the acting Pope?

 

[Sand Dancer]

Maybe a Catholic can answer. Meanwhile, I hope he gets better soon. He is a likeable and Christ-like Pope.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

No heart condition, I think. And he's responding well to treatment for lung infection (he lost half a long as a younger man).