Pope could leave hospital in days after bronchitis

Pope Francis could beryllium discharged from a Rome infirmary "in the coming days" aft helium was admitted with a respiratory condition.

The pontiff has seen a "marked betterment successful his health" aft helium received antibiotics for a bronchitis infection, the Vatican said.

The pope spent the day "devoting himself to rest, supplication and immoderate work".

He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital connected Wednesday, for what was initially said to beryllium a scheduled check-up.

There helium was past diagnosed with bronchitis, and fixed an antibiotic infusion, a connection from the Vatican said.

"Based connected the expected advancement [of his health], the Holy Father could beryllium discharged successful the coming days," the Vatican connection said, quoting his aesculapian team.

Earlier connected Thursday, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the 86-year-old "rested good during the night".

"This greeting aft breakfast, helium work immoderate newspapers and resumed work," helium said.

He added that helium past went to the chapel of the hospital, wherever helium prayed and received the Eucharist.

Palm Sunday Mass takes spot this weekend, with Holy Week and Easter celebrations pursuing adjacent week.

Italian quality bureau Ansa reported nurses were optimistic helium would beryllium retired of infirmary successful clip for Palm Sunday.

The Argentine pontiff marked 10 years arsenic caput of the Catholic Church earlier this month. He has suffered a fig of wellness issues passim his life, including having portion of 1 of his lungs removed astatine property 21.

While keeping a engaged docket and travelling widely, helium has for the past twelvemonth utilized a wheelchair due to the fact that of genu symptom and admitted past summertime helium had to dilatory down.