Online Reporter
VATICAN. − Pope Francis remains in hospital after he was admitted on Friday for the fourth time since being elected in 2013.
He was diagnosed with bronchitis last week.
Francis had part of one lung removed as a young man and has recurring bouts of bronchitis, especially in winter.
The 88-year-old pope has other health problems too.
He had part of his large intestine removed in 2021, uses a wheelchair, cane or walker because of bad knee ligaments and suffers from sciatica nerve pain.
Bronchitis usually is triggered by respiratory viruses, from the common cold to more serious infections such as the flu or RSV.
Bronchitis sets in when the airways leading to the lungs become inflamed, causing mucus that people try to cough out.
The immune system wanes with age, leaving older adults especially vulnerable both to respiratory viruses and to complications from them like bronchitis.
The Pope has said he had a cold earlier this month, and is prone to repeated bouts of bronchitis.
Pope Francis became Pope on March 13, 2013, and it was around that time that it was revealed he had battled a severe respiratory infection in his early 20s, which led doctors to remove part of one of his lungs.
Since 2021, Francis’ health setbacks have fueled rumours that he would resign, which the Pope denied. At the time, he underwent intestinal surgery to remove part of his colon while managing diverticulitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the colon.
According to Reuters, Francis shut down the resignation rumours while speaking to the Spanish radio network COPE, noting that it “didn’t even cross (his) mind” to step down from the papacy.
By 2022, however, the rumours resurfaced once Francis had a knee condition that prevented him from carrying out some of his duties. As a result, he has been using a wheelchair and a cane ever since.
The following year, Francis was admitted to a hospital for bronchitis.
He returned to celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass about a week later. Francis’ 2025 hospitalisation was the second known time he needed medical attention to combat bronchitis.
According to CNN, the Argentinian leader has suffered from lung issues throughout his life.
Francis previously battled a severe bout of pneumonia, the outlet reported. − AP/Hollywood Life
Mathew Masinge