LONDON and ROME -- Following his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis made a visit to the Gemelli hospital in Rome, the Vatican reported.
"After the general audience Pope Francis went to the Gemelli Isola Tiberina Hospital for some diagnostic tests," according to a Vatican spokesperson. "Afterwards, he returned to the Vatican."
Francis was speaking earlier in the day at his weekly visit, claiming he "still had a bit of a cold." He requested a reading from one of his bishops.
Last year, Francis, who is 87 years old, had multiple hospital admissions. According to the Vatican at the time, Francis had intestinal surgery in early June after contracting bronchitis in March.
According to the Vatican, Francis will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday, March 2, and then make an appearance at a noontime prayer on Sunday.
Following his hospital visit on Wednesday, a message was posted on the pope's official X account.
"In this time of #Lent, let us strive not to put ourselves at the centre; rather, let us try to step aside to make room for others, to promote them, and to rejoice in their qualities and successes," the post read.
