A note from the Holy See’s press office, published on the Vatican News website, said that for several days the Pontiff had been suffering from bronchitis, “which had not always allowed him to read his prepared catechesis, homilies and speeches in their entirety”.
Despite his illness, “this morning he kept intact his agenda of scheduled appointments, all held at Casa Santa Marta,” where he received Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, as well as Mark Thompson, executive director of the CNN agency and the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico.
At the end of these activities, the Bishop of Rome was transferred to the Roman Polyclinic, the fourth time he has been admitted to this health facility, which is also the seat of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.
The source specifies that Pope Francis will undergo “some necessary diagnostic tests” in order to “continue his treatment in a hospital environment”, for a speedy recovery and incorporation to the programmed activities, in this year in which the Jubilee of the Catholic Church is being celebrated.
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