Vatican: Pope Francis goes to hospital, cancels audiences

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has canceled his audiences for the next two days as he undergoes tests at a Rome hospital. The Vatican says he’s at Gemelli hospital for previously scheduled tests. It provided no details. The 86-year-old pope spent 10 days at the same hospital in 2021 following intestinal surgery. Francis also had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to a respiratory infection. He appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting into and out of the “popemobile.” The cancellations of his audiences through Friday raised questions about Francis’ participation during the Vatican’s Holy Week activities starting Sunday.