Catholic Bishops in Africa Pen Letter to Pope Francis, Praying for His “swift, complete recovery”

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican said. 

The 88-year-old Pontiff was hospitalized in the late morning on February 14 following meetings with a number of people, including the prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico.

On Tuesday, February 18 the Holy Father was diagnosed with a polymicrobial respiratory infection that required physicians to modify his treatment plan.

All diagnostic results indicated a complex clinical situation that medics said would require “an appropriate hospital stay” at Rome”s Gemelli hospital, Vatican officials announced, adding that the General audience for Wednesday, February 19, was canceled.

On Wednesday, February 19, Pope Francis showed “slight improvement,” according to the Vatican.

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The latest hospitalization comes barely a month after the Holy Father was treated for a contusion on his right forearm after falling at his residence.

Pope Francis spent much of the past decade in relatively good health but has has had to deal with several painful medical conditions over the last few years.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.