Pope Francis in hospital for tests, Vatican says

Pope Francis has been taken to hospital for pre-scheduled tests, the Vatican’s press office has said.

The pontiff, 86, was undergoing the checks at Gemelli hospital in Rome this afternoon.

The press office did not offer more details about what the tests involved.

Pictures taken at his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square today appear to show Francis in some discomfort as he was transferred from his wheelchair to the Popemobile.

Francis previously visited Gemelli, the largest hospital in the Italian capital, in 2021 for major surgery on his intestine.

It was the first time he had been admitted to hospital since becoming pope in 2013, but a day after the three-hour operation he was said to be ‘in good condition, alert and breathing on his own’.

The pope has used a wheelchair, walker and cane as mobility aids in recent years.

He marked his 10th anniversary in the role last month.

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