According to a Vatican spokesperson cited by Reuters, Pope Francis will remain in Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital for continued treatment of a respiratory infection.

Reports indicate the Pope’s diagnosis is a respiratory tract infection.

Vatican News reported the 88-year-old pontiff had a restful night and, while experiencing a slight fever on Friday, it subsided by Saturday.

The Vatican confirmed his admission followed approximately a week of bronchitis.

CNN reported that its CEO, Mark Thompson, met the Pope shortly before his hospitalization, finding him mentally alert but experiencing breathing difficulties that hampered his ability to speak for extended periods.

The Pope has a history of health challenges, including a lung removal at age 21 due to pleurisy. He’s also faced various health issues in recent years, including surgeries in 2021 and 2023, and persistent knee problems requiring wheelchair use.

In his autobiography, the Pope attributed his health problems to his age, stating that governing the Church relies on the mind and heart, not physical mobility.

He also sustained two recent falls, one in December and another in January. Following the January fall at his residence, his arm was placed in a sling as a precautionary measure.