Pope Francis is hospitalized to treat bronchitis and undergo tests as weekend events are canceled
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday to treat a weeklong bout of bronchitis and undergo diagnostic tests, the Vatican said, confirming the latest issues with the 88-year-old’s pontiff’s health that forced him to cancel his agenda through Monday at least. Francis has complained of breathing trouble and was diagnosed with bronchitis Feb. 6, but had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite. He had presided at an outdoor Mass on Sunday and attended his general audience Wednesday. But he has been handing off his speeches for an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing. On Friday, he appeared bloated and pale during the handful of audiences he held before going to the hospital. The bloating appeared to indicate that the medication he was taking to help treat the lung infection was making him retain water. Christopher Lamb, CNN’s Vatican correspondent, saw Francis at the beginning of an audience Friday with CNN head Mark Thompson, and said the pope was mentally alert but struggling to speak for extended periods due …