Pope Francis Hospitalized, Cancels Weekend Events

Pope Francis, dealing with bronchitis, has been hospitalized, prompting an immediate halt to his scheduled duties. The 88-year-old pontiff, known for his resilience amidst ongoing health battles, continues to face challenges after decades of respiratory issues. Francis appeared bloated and pale, likely due to medication side effects.

Before his hospitalization, he held audiences, including with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and CNN's head Mark Thompson. CNN's Christopher Lamb noted the pope's difficulty speaking for extended periods due to his breathing issues. His hospitalization follows previous stays in June 2023 for intestinal surgery and a respiratory infection. Francis uses a wheelchair, walker, or cane for mobility. Planned events, like a meeting with artists and a visit to Cinecitta studios, were canceled due to his illness.

Reflecting on a severe lung infection in his youth, Francis credited Sister Cornelia Caraglio, an Italian nun, for saving his life. He recounted that "She had intuition and practical experience, and certainly no lack of courage," after she had 1.5 liters of fluid removed from his lungs. "It began a slow and unsteady climb back from the brink between life and death," he said. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)