Vatican: Pope Francis' Schedule Canceled Due to His 'Complex' Respiratory Infection

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for five days, will not participate in the weekend events for the Holy Year. According to his doctors, the leader of the world's Catholics is suffering from a 'complex infection' in his respiratory system. The Pope's illness began about a week ago, and he has been hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14. In a brief statement released on Tuesday, February 30, the Vatican said that the Pope's public audience scheduled for Saturday has been canceled 'due to his health condition.' The statement added that the major prayer on Sunday will take place in St. Peter's Basilica, but it will be led by a senior Vatican cleric instead of Pope Francis. The Holy Year, also known as 'Jubilee,' will begin in late February and continue until early next year, serving as a special occasion for Catholic forgiveness. The Vatican anticipates that around 32 million people will travel to Rome and the Vatican throughout the year, with a significant portion of the program involving special meetings with Pope Francis. On Monday, February 29, the Vatican announced that since the Pope's hospitalization, doctors have changed his medications for a second time to more effectively treat his 'complex condition.' The Vatican described his illness as a 'multiple respiratory infection,' which typically involves two or more bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Pope Francis, 88, has been the leader of the world's Catholics since 2013 and has faced several health issues in the past two years, including influenza. In his youth, he suffered from pleurisy, which required the removal of part of one of his lungs. In recent years, he has been very vulnerable to lung infections. The leader of the Catholics underwent surgery twice last year, during which part of his colon was removed. The Vatican has stated that Pope Francis will remain in the hospital for as long as necessary and did not provide new information about his medical condition in the morning statement on Tuesday, but further details are expected later in the day. The Vatican has not yet disclosed whether the cause of Pope Francis' illness is a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial infections can typically be treated with antibiotics, but treating viral infections is more complex. Viral infections must run their course, although specific and appropriate medications can help reduce fever and assist the body in combating the infection.