Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News)- Vatican officials confirmed Pope Francis, 88, has pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican confirmed late Tuesday night that a chest scan confirmed His Holiness has contracted pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis.
Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, was suffering from a respiratory infection for a week and was hospitalized February 14th. On Monday, the Vatican said Pope Francis’ respiratory infection would require further hospitalization.
On Wednesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Pope Francis in the hospital and said he was in good spirits.
Meloni said Pope Fracis was ‘alert and responsive’ during their visit. “We joked around as always. He hasn’t lost his proverbial sense of humour,” Meloni said in a statement from her office.
The prime minister’s visit is the first confirmed outside visitor known to have called on the pope since his Friday hospitalization.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance also sent his get-well wishes. Francis has recently criticized the Trump administration’s plans for mass deportations of migrants.
Doctors will continue monitoring Pope Francis in the coming days.