On Saturday, it was reported by a Vatican spokesman that Pope Francis is receiving treatment for a respiratory infection in the hospital. The spokesman, Matteo Bruni, mentioned that the Pope's release date is uncertain pending his response to treatment. Bruni informed that the Pope had a restful night without a rise in fever.
An unnamed Vatican official shared that the Pope was fever-free on Saturday morning. The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling bronchitis, leading to his hospitalization for treatment on Friday.
Gemelli Hospital, renowned for its care of Pope John Paul II, has a dedicated suite for papal treatment where Francis is currently receiving care. Supportive crowds gathered outside the hospital to pray for the Pope's recovery under the statue of John Paul II.
One visitor to the hospital, Giovanni Di Muro, expressed hope for the Pope's well-being, stating, "We hope it's nothing serious, and that everything will be fine."
Recently, the Vatican disclosed that Francis was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection. The Pope, who has a history of respiratory ailments, had part of a lung removed in his youth due to pleurisy.
Since mid-December, Francis has been grappling with respiratory challenges, leading him to delegate his public speaking engagements to aides in January and February.