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Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized on Wednesday for bronchitis. This marks his fourth hospitalization since becoming Pope in 2013. He has a history of respiratory issues, having part of a lung removed in his youth.
The Pope has also experienced other health challenges. In 2021, he had a significant portion of his colon removed. More recently, he has been using a wheelchair, cane, or walker due to strained knee ligaments.
The Pope is cared for by Dr. Roberto Bernabei, a geriatric specialist, and Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal nurse. Strappetti reportedly identified the Pope’s 2021 intestinal issue and often accompanies him on trips abroad.
The Pope’s health history includes a serious respiratory infection in his twenties, requiring the partial removal of a lung. In 2021, he underwent surgery for a narrowed large intestine.
He later acknowledged a recurrence of diverticulosis, the condition that led to the 2021 surgery. In early 2023, he was hospitalized for acute bronchitis.
Later that year, he had surgery for scar tissue and a hernia. This latest hospitalization is for bronchitis and further testing.