The Pope will be admitted to hospital for treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican has said.
After Friday’s daily audiences he will be taken to Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic, the Vatican said in a short statement.
“This morning, after his audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for necessary diagnostic tests and to continue hospital treatment for his ongoing bronchitis,” it said.
It wasn’t clear how long he would be there.
The 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church was diagnosed with bronchitis last Thursday, but since then has continued his activities and audiences.
However, during his last two Wednesday general audiences at the Vatican, Pope Francis asked an aide to read his prepared remarks.
“Me, with my bronchitis, I cannot (read) still,” the Pope said on Wednesday. “I hope that next time I can.”
In addition to his regular Friday activities, the Pope will also meet with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and the head of CNN Mark Thompson.
Francis had part of one lung removed as a young man and has long battled health problems – including long bouts of bronchitis in the winter.
He uses a wheelchair, walker or cane when moving around and recently fell twice, hurting his arm and chin.
Read more from Sky News:
One Briton dead in New Zealand crash
Kayaker swallowed by humpback whale
Is a ‘city killer’ asteroid going to hit Earth?
Follow our channel and never miss an update
The announcement, coming ahead of Francis’ actual hospitalisation, is a marked contrast to the 2023 hospitalisation for bronchitis which caused confusion.
Initially, the Vatican said he had gone in for scheduled tests, but it was later revealed he had felt pain in his chest and was rushed to hospital where the bronchitis was diagnosed.
As he left he quipped he was “still alive”.
