VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis, who recently had the flu, was brought to a hospital in Rome for diagnostic testing after the papal audience Wednesday, the Vatican said, without giving further details.
The car carrying Pope Francis leaves the Gemelli Isola Tiberina Hospital in Rome on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Pope Francis, who has been suffering from the flu, was brought to a hospital in central Rome aboard a small white Fiat 500 after the papal audience on Wednesday, leaving again in the same car after a short period. The Vatican had no immediate comment.
Earlier in the day, the 87-year-old pope was pushed in a wheelchair into the audience hall at the Vatican, appearing weary as he dropped heavily into his seat. In recent weeks he has walked the short distance to his chair, but he has been struggling with mild flu symptoms the past week. Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly as he presided over Ash Wednesday services at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.
The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed as a young man because of a respiratory infection, and in 2021 had a chunk of his colon removed because of an intestinal inflammation. He has been using a wheelchair and cane since last year because of strained knee ligaments and a small knee fracture that have made walking and standing difficult.
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