Pope Francis helped to get on his car at the end of weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square,at the Vatican.Credit:AP
The statement came hours after the Pope was unexpectedly taken to hospital for tests. The Vatican initially said the check-up had been scheduled,but Italian media questioned that,saying a television interview with the Pope set for Wednesday afternoon had been cancelled at the last moment.
Earlier in the day,the Pope attended his weekly general audience at the Vatican and had appeared in good health.
Pope Francis suffers from diverticulitis,a condition that can infect or inflame the colon,and had an operation at the Gemelli hospital in 2021 to remove part of his colon.
He said in January that the condition had returned and that it was causing him to put on weight,but that he was not overly concerned. He did not elaborate.
A statue of late Pope St John Paul II in front of Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome where Pope Francis has been taken.Credit:AP
He also has a problem with his knee and alternates between using a cane and a wheelchair in his public appearances.