Pope Francis, who was admitted to hospital on Friday, will miss his usual public appearance and weekly prayer with pilgrims on Sunday, the Vatican has said.
Doctors have prescribed “absolute rest” for the 88-year-old, who is being treated for a respiratory tract infection.
He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital after battling a bout of bronchitis for more than a week.
Rome’s largest hospital has a designed suite for popes, where it treated the late Pope John Paul II during his long papacy.
“To facilitate his recovery, the medical staff prescribed complete rest,” said a statement.
“Pope Francis has been updated on the many messages of closeness and affection received and expresses his gratitude, while asking that we continue to pray for him”, the Vatican added.
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Why is Pope Francis hospitalised?
The pope’s tests showed some signs of improvement on Saturday and a slight fever had passed, it said, adding he had received communion and been praying, reading and resting.
Earlier, the Vatican said the pope would remain in hospital as long as necessary for his treatment.
Devotees visited a statue of John Paul II outside the hospital to wish Pope Francis well. Pic: Reuters
Pope Francis during his weekly audience at the Vatican on Wednesday. Pic: AP
“We will see how he reacts to treatment,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican’s press office.
He said he did not have a “precise date” for his discharge.
In June 2023 Francis spent nine days at the Gemelli hospital when he had surgery for an abdominal hernia.
On Saturday, well-wishers gathered under a famous statue of John Paul II outside the hospital to pray for Francis.
“We found out yesterday morning, with sadness,” said Giovanni Di Muro, an Italian who was visiting his son in
hospital.
“We hope it’s nothing serious, and that everything will be fine.”
As a young adult, Francis developed a case of pleurisy and had part of one of his lungs removed.
He became prone to lung infections in later life, and has been suffering with respiratory issues since mid-December.
