By James Reynolds and Arthur Parashar and Portal 3:37 PM 29 Mar 2023, updated 6:31 PM 29 Mar 2023
- Pope Francis has been at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since this afternoon
- He suffers from diverticulitis, a condition that can inflame or infect the colon
- Concerns about the pope’s health come at a busy time with Easter services planned
Pope Francis canceled his events on Thursday and is likely to stay in hospital overnight after going for what were initially described as “scheduled checks.”
The 86-year-old Pope suffers from diverticulitis, a condition that can infect or inflame the colon, and he underwent surgery in 2021 to remove part of his colon.
He attended the weekly general audience this morning and appeared in good health.
However, a Vatican source has revealed that the Pope’s appointments tomorrow will not take place following his admission to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
“The Pope’s agenda has been cleared for the possibility of further testing,” the source told AFP.
Pope Francis canceled his events on Thursday and is expected to stay in hospital overnight. Pictured: The Pope speaks during a general audience in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City March 29
It comes just hours after his spokesman, Matteo Bruni, initially said the Pope had gone to the hospital for a previously scheduled check-up.
The pope has been kept in hospital during one of his busiest times of the year, with Easter events planned for this week and next. He had also planned to visit Hungary at the end of April.
The Pope has sparked debate about his future in the role after a series of comments suggested he may be considering stepping down at some point.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis said the condition had returned and it had increased as a result, but he was not overly concerned. He didn’t elaborate.
He also has a problem with his knee and alternates between using a cane and a wheelchair in his public appearances.
Francis told Portal in an interview last year that he prefers not to have surgery on his knee because he doesn’t want a repeat of the long-term negative side effects of anesthesia he suffered after the 2021 surgery.
The pope said earlier this month that he could step down if he became too tired to continue in his role.
Asked by Italian media what would prompt him to resign, the Pope warned of “a weariness that leads to not seeing things clearly… A lack of clarity when it comes to assessing situations”.
It comes after the Pope’s spokesman said he was visiting Gemelli Hospital (pictured) in Rome for some previously scheduled check-ups
He said he was “a little ashamed” of using a wheelchair because of a knee injury.
“I’m old,” he told RSI. “I have less physical resistance, the knee [problem] was a physical humiliation, even though the recovery is going well now.’
Last month, the pope said papal resignations should take place in exceptional circumstances, saying resignations were not possible [his] Agenda’.
Pope Francis has been the head of the Catholic Church since March 2013 and recently celebrated a decade of his papacy.
In January, the pope also fueled speculation he might one day soon step down from the role when he delivered a sermon on “the virtue of stepping down at the right time” and “learning to say goodbye.”
Jorge Mario Bergoglio would be the second resignation in just over six centuries if he resigned.
Only five popes have “demonstrably” relinquished the position throughout history, others are disputed.
The most recent was Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 and said he was motivated by his age-related deterioration in health.
Contemporary popes are generally expected to hold office until their death.