The Vatican announced on Wednesday that Pope Francis, aged 86, has been admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome for prearranged health examinations without further information.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed the pope’s hospital visit in a brief statement. Earlier in the day, Pope Francis seemed in good spirits during his weekly audience at the Vatican, smiling as he greeted the crowd from his “popemobile.” However, he appeared to wince when assisted into the vehicle.
Pope Francis has been dealing with chronic knee pain, which has recently necessitated using a wheelchair. Gemelli Hospital is where the pope had colon surgery in July 2021 to treat diverticulitis, an inflammation of pouches that form in the intestine lining. He spent 10 days in the hospital following the surgery.
In July 2022, he confessed that he was still experiencing the effects of the six-hour anesthesia administered during the operation.
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Pope Francis has had to cancel or reduce activities several times in the past year due to knee pain. He acknowledged the need to slow down in a July 2022 interview. The pope’s health has been a recurring speculation, particularly concerning the possibility of him following his predecessor’s example and retiring if he cannot continue.
In 2013, a renowned German theologian, Benedict XVI, became the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign.
Francis has stated that he would resign if his health prevented him from performing his duties. Still, he clarified in a February interview that papal resignations should not become commonplace and that, for the time being, it was not on his agenda. Despite his age and health issues, Pope Francis continues to travel extensively.
