The Catholic spiritual leader and Head of State of Vatican City, Pope Francis, has been hospitalized in a hospital in Rome for tests and treatment due to his ongoing bronchitis condition.

An announcement from the Vatican stated that Pope Francis, who has been struggling to catch his breath in recent days and had to have his speeches read by officials, will continue his treatment in a hospital setting in the capital city of Italy, Rome.

The 88-year-old Pope Francis had to either postpone or limit some of his audiences since last week due to his bronchitis condition.

During the Sunday service on February 9th, it was observed that the Pope was tired and struggling. Pope Francis had already been hospitalized twice in 2023, once for shortness of breath and the other for a prosthetic placement surgery on his abdominal wall.