ROME

Pope Francis will be hospitalized for several days for treatment of a pulmonary infection after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days, the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis, 86, requires "some days of medical therapy," after the test he underwent at Rome's Gemelli hospital showed a "respiratory infection" that was not COVID-19.

Bruni added that Francis went to the Gemelli hospital for a check-up on Wednesday afternoon after suffering breathing problems in recent days.

In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday, the Vatican said Francis' medical tests had been previously scheduled.

As usual, the pope presided over the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square earlier in the day.

The pontiff had part of one lung removed at a younger age due to a respiratory infection.

In July 2021, Francis spent 10 days at the Gemelli hospital after undergoing a three-hour surgery that included the removal of the descending part of the colon, a surgery administered to treat diverticulitis.

The pope has canceled all his audiences through Friday, but it is now unclear if he will be able to confirm plans for Holy Week on April 2-8.​​​​​​​ 

Francis also has a knee problem that has forced him to often use a wheelchair in the past few months.

In recent interviews, he indicated that he might resign like his predecessor Benedict XVI if bad health makes it impossible for him to continue doing his job.