Pope Francis has been admitted to a hospital in Rome for tests and treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican has announced.

The 88-year-old pope, who had been unable to catch his breath in recent days and had delegated officials to read his speeches, was admitted after his morning audience.

He was hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome for "some necessary diagnostic tests and for the continuation of treatment of his ongoing bronchitis in hospital conditions," the Vatican said.

The pope, who had part of his lung removed at a young age, has been suffering from breathing difficulties for more than a week and has had to ask aides to read his speeches for him on several occasions, AFP reported.

In March 2023, Francis was admitted to hospital for three nights with bronchitis, which was cured with antibiotics.

And in December that year, he had to cancel a trip to Dubai to attend the UN COP28 climate change conference due to a new bout of bronchitis.

In recent years, the Argentine pontiff has been plagued by health problems ranging from knee and hip pain to a sore colon. He also underwent surgery for a hernia. | BGNES