Pope Francis was taken to hospital on Friday with bronchitis and he will skip several planned public events over the next three days, the Vatican said, after the 88-year-old pontiff was seen struggling to speak during one of his meetings in the morning.

Argentinian pontiff was taken to the Agostino Gemelli Policlinico Hospital after finishing his morning engagements at the Vatican

Rome: Pope Francis, the 88-year-old pontiff, has been hospitalised for treatment of bronchitis and to undergo necessary diagnostic tests, the Vatican confirmed on Friday. This marks the latest health challenge for the pope, who has battled long-standing medical issues throughout his papacy.

Pope Francis has been admitted to hospital in Rome following his morning audiences, the Vatican announced. The 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church was diagnosed with bronchitis last week, and is expected to undergo tests and treatment of Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic.

Pope Francis has been admitted to hospital after a case of bronchitis persisted for more than a week, a Vatican spokesman said on Friday. The 88-year-old pontiff was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital "for the necessary diagnostic examinations" after conducting audiences in the morning,

Pope Francis was being hospitalized Friday for the fourth time since he was elected pope in 2013, after he was diagnosed with bronchitis last week

"This morning, at the end of his audiences, Pope Francis was admitted to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his treatment for bronchitis, which is still ongoing,