Major Pope health update issued after Vatican cancels his weekend's engagements

Pope Francis is in hospital (Image: GETTY)

Pope Francis has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, the Vatican has said.

In the major update, which comes days after it was revealed the leader of the Catholic Church had been hospitalised, the Vatican added Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the pope's real name, remains in a "good mood".

The statement read: "Laboratory tests, chest X-rays and the clinical conditions of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture.

"The polymicrobial infection, which arose in a context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and which required the use of antibiotic cortisone therapy, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex.

"The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon, prescribed by the Vatican health team and the medical team of the Fondazione Policlinico 'A. Gemelli', demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy. Pope Francis is in a good mood, however."

Pope Francis was admitted to hospital on Friday with bronchitis (Image: Getty)

Bilateral pneumonia is inflammation of both lungs usually caused by an infection, according to the NHS website.

The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday to treat bronchitis, however the Vatican confirmed on Monday he had a "polymicrobial infection" of his respiratory tract, which required a change in treatment.

Pope Francis stayed overnight in hospital on Monday to manage his "complex clinical situation", but the Vatican confirmed he was stable and without fever, and had been able to read and work on Monday morning.

The Vatican added that he was "touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he continues to receive in these hours".

Before being admitted to hospital on Friday last week, the Pope had experienced symptoms but finished his Friday morning audiences before leaving the Vatican.

He has since had to cancel his regular weekly prayer on Sunday in St Peter's Square as well as his speech at Rome's Cinecitta film studios as part of the Catholic Church's Holy Year celebrations.

Having had one lung removed after a pulmonary infection in his youth, Pope Francis has previously experienced respiratory problems and was diagnosed with pneumonia in 2023 when he stayed in hospital for three days.