Pope Francis hospitalized: Live updates

The Holy See Press Office releases an update on the pope’s condition: “The first examinations performed show a respiratory tract infection. The clinical condition is fair; he presents mild febrile alteration.”

The pope is serene, his mood is good, and he has read a few newspapers, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.

Catholic leaders across the U.S. and the world unite in prayer Friday for Pope Francis after it was reported the 88-year-old had been hospitalized with bronchitis.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) shares on social media that the bishops “join in prayer for the Holy Father during his hospitalization.”

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, the community of friars founded in 1987 by Mother Angelica, also offers a prayer for Pope Francis:

Pope Francis has spent much of the past decade as pope in relatively good health but has dealt with several painful medical conditions over the last few years.

The respiratory infection is the latest health challenge for the 88-year-old pope, who has been struggling with breathlessness, which has prevented him on several recent occasions from reading the entirety of his speech or homily.

The pope was also treated for a contusion on his right forearm after falling at his residence last month and suffered a facial injury and cold during the Christmas season.

Here is a timeline charting Pope Francis’ recent health concerns.

The Vatican says the pontiff’s schedule was cleared through at least the morning of Feb. 17 while he undergoes “diagnostic tests” and treatment.

The Vatican also says that due to Pope Francis’ hospitalization, his appointments for the following three days were canceled. In particular, he will no longer hold a jubilee audience at the Vatican on Saturday, Feb. 15, or a meeting with artists at the historic Cinecittà film studios south of Rome on Feb. 17.

Pope Francis is admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old pope was hospitalized in the late morning on Feb. 14 following meetings with a number of people, including the prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico.