Pope could have died when hospitalised last month, he told Italian man

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis waves from a baclony on the day of his "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World") message at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican, April 9, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis was unconscious when he was rushed to hospital two weeks ago with bronchitis, and could have died, according to an Italian man widely reported to speak to him regularly, who said he last talked to the pontiff on Saturday.

The 86-year-old pontiff was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital on March 29 and discharged three days later. He appeared in good health as he led Easter celebrations all last week.