ITALY: Pope Francis was hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in the middle of the week with breathing problems, and bronchitis was later found to be the cause. In accordance with test results, the Vatican had stated that he was responding to antibiotics and would be discharged on Saturday.
The Pope was seen grinning and waving from the outside of his residence before entering the hospital for Holy Week, the busiest week of the Christian calendar. The week before Easter is known as Holy Week and has a full calendar of activities, some of which can be physically taxing.
Pope Francis has been granted permission to attend this weekend’s Palm Sunday services due to his health issues, including having a portion of one of his lungs removed when he was 21. He has also recently needed a wheelchair due to issues with his knee.
Pope Francis has continued to travel, making trips to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and presiding over the funeral of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Pope’s plans for Easter
● Palm Sunday, April 2: 9:30 (07:30 GMT) Sunday Blessing at 12:00, Papal Mass
● 9 a.m. Pope General Audience on April 5
● Holy Thursday, April 6, 9:30 a.m. Chrism Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
● Good Friday, April 7: Passion of the Lord at 17:00 and Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum at 21:15
● Holy Saturday, April 8: Easter Vigil at 20:30 in St. Peter’s Basilica
● Easter Sunday, April 9: Easter Sunday Mass at 10:00; Urbi et Orbi at 12:00 in St. Peter’s Square.
● Easter Monday, April 10, 12:00 p.m., Pasquetta at St. Peter’s Square
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