Pope Francis cancels weekend engagements as hospital stay extended
18 February 2025, 10:30 | Updated: 18 February 2025, 11:18
Pope Francis' weekend engagements have been cancelled due to him having to extend his hospital stay.
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The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday to undergo treatment and tests for bronchitis.
Concerns have grown about his health, with test results indicating a "polymicrobial respiratory tract infection" which has presented a "complex clinical picture".
"Due to the health conditions of the Holy Father, the Jubilee audience of Saturday February 22 is cancelled," the Vatican said in a statement.
A senior church figure has also been delegated to celebrate mass on Sunday morning.
Read more: Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'
Read more: Pope Francis to miss Sunday prayer due to 'absolute rest' order after bronchitis diagnosis
It comes after an update on Monday said the Pope was in a "stable" condition with no fever but would be remaining in hospital.
On social media at the weekend, the pope wrote: "Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you accompany me in these days."
He had been suffering from bronchitis for more than a week before being taken to hospital.
The Pope is understood to have insisted on finishing his morning audiences on Friday before leaving the Vatican to be admitted to hospital.
He was finding it increasingly difficult to complete speeches and commitments last week because he was short of breath.
The Argentine pontiff has spent nearly 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
He previously spent three nights at the same hospital in March 2023 for bronchitis treatment.
In December the same year, he was forced to cancel his trip to the COP28 climate summit because of another bout of illness.
He has suffered several health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
