Pope spends quiet first night in hospital, continues drug therapy, reads papers: Vatican

ROME, Feb 15: Pope Francis slept well during a quiet first night in the hospital after being admitted with a respiratory tract infection, and was up eating and reading Saturday, the Vatican said.

Francis, 88, ate breakfast Saturday morning and read the newspapers while continuing his drug therapy, spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened. It was his fourth hospitalization since his 2013 election and raised questions about his increasingly precarious health.

Preliminary tests showed he had a respiratory tract infection and a slight fever. The Vatican cancelled his audiences through Monday at least. (AP)