Pope Francis has been hospitalised in Rome, where he will stay for several days, the Vatican said.

“In the past days, Pope Francis had lamented some respiratory difficulties and this afternoon was brought to the Gemelli Hospital for a medical check,” Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The result of these [tests] highlighted a respiratory infection (excluding COVID-19 infections) that will require several days of appropriate hospital treatment,” Mr Bruni said. “Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expressed his gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”

According to the Catholic News Agency, Gemelli is the same hospital the pope used in 2021 to have surgery on his colon for diverticulitis, or intestinal wall inflammation.

Since 2022, the pope has been battling a problem in his right knee, forcing him to use a cane and a wheelchair.

As of Wednesday evening, said the CNA, the pope’s agenda for Thursday and Friday lists two meetings, one with teachers and students from the schools of the Oblate Sisters of the Child Jesus on Thursday and the fifth Lenten sermon with the Roman Curia on Friday.