Pope Francis has respiratory infection, needs hospital treatment

Pope Francis speaks during a general audience at St Peter's Square, Vatican City, March, 29, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis has a respiratory infection and will need to spend "a few days" in hospital for treatment, the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement said the 86-year-old pontiff had complained of breathing difficulties in recent days. It added that tests showed he did not have COVID-19.