THE ASSOCIATED PRESS I AP 360

Pope Francis Hospitalized
Rome, Italy | Mar. 29, 2023 onward


Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory infection Wednesday after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days and will remain in the Rome hospital for several days of treatment, the Vatican said.

The 86-year-old pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, doesn't have COVID-19, spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement late Wednesday.

The hospitalization was the first since Francis spent 10 days at the Gemelli hospital in July 2021 to have 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed.

It immediately raised questions about Francis' overall health, and his ability to celebrate the busy Holy Week events that are due to begin this weekend with Palm Sunday.

Facilities Available:

CUSTOM LIVE SHOTS
On-air correspondent Giada Zampano is available to deliver live reports from outside Gemelli hospital for your news bulletins in English and Italian.

AP Vatican correspondent Nicole Winfield is available for custom live shots from AP Rome studio in English.



Live Positions & Studios:

GEMELLI HOSPITAL
– Live stand-up position outside Gemelli hospital
– On-air correspondent in English and Italian
– International delivery via AP's network

AP ROME STUDIO

– Multi-camera studio with backdrop of the Vatican
– On-air correspondent in English
– International delivery via AP's network