On Friday morning, he held audiences at the Vatican before his hospitalization, including with the prime minister of Slovakia and with Mark Thompson, CNN's chief executive. During the meeting, the pope was mentally alert but struggling to speak for extended periods due to breathing difficulties,

Pope Francis’ respiratory tract infection is presenting a “complex clinical picture” that will require further hospitalization, the Vatican said Monday as concerns grew about the increasingly frail health of the 88-year-old pontiff.

Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday for the fourth time since he was elected in 2013. Francis, who was diagnosed with bronchitis last week, had part of one lung removed as

Pope Francis has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis and to undergo tests.

The pope has been recovering at a Rome hospital for at least two nights. According to the Vatican, the pope is pulling back from some of his duties, including leading certain prayers.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis and to undergo tests. The Vatican cancelled his events through Monday. Since being diag

Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday to treat a weeklong bout of bronchitis and undergo diagnostic tests, the Vatican said, confirming the latest issues with the 88-year-old’s pontiff’s health that forced him to cancel his agenda through Monday at least.

Pope Francis is being admitted to hospital on Friday for “necessary tests” and to continue his ongoing bronchitis treatment, the Vatican said.

“The Holy Father’s clinical condition remains critical, but stationary,” doctors said in the statement on Tuesday, adding that the pope did not have any further acute respiratory episodes. Blood tests “continue to be stable,” the statement read.

Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized last Friday with bronchitis, the Vatican said, and now has a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract.”

Pope Francis continues to be in serious but stable condition as he concludes his 12th day in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican said Feb. 25. The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, Feb. 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis.