There are new fears for Pope Francis’ health after the Vatican said Monday a series of tests revealed a “complex clinical picture.” The 88-year-old pope, who had a lung removed at the age of 21, has been diagnosed with a “polymicrobial infection” in his respiratory tract and will remain in the hospital in Rome for the time being. He was admitted to the hospital last week after contracting bronchitis. Over the weekend, the Vatican confirmed he was stable and had been advised to rest. The pontiff, who has led the Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, was hospitalized in March 2023 for bronchitis and canceled a December trip to COP28 due to the same illness. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters on Monday that the pontiff was in good spirits.
