March 30, 2023

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts. www.catholicnewsagency.com - Pope Francis will be hospitalized for “some days” after being diagnosed with a respiratory infection, the Vatican said Wednesday. “In recent days Pope Francis has complained of some difficulty breathing and this afternoon went to [Gemelli Hospital] to carry out some medical tests. The results of these tests showed a respiratory infection (a COVID-19 infection was excluded) that will require some days of opportune medical treatment in the hospital,” Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said Wednesday evening. “Pope Francis is touched by the many messages he received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” Bruni added. Bruni had issued a brief statement earlier in the afternoon of March 29 to say the pope was at Gemelli Hospital “for some previously scheduled checkups.” Mid-day on Thursday, the Vatican spokesman said the pope rested well overnight. “This morning after having breakfast, [Pope Francis] read some newspapers and resumed work,” Bruni added. “Before lunch, he went to the chapel of his private apartment, where he spent time in prayer and received the Eucharist.” Stay tuned to catholic news agency dot com for the latest on Pope Francis’ health. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253973/pope-francis-hospitalized-with-a-respiratory-infection-vatican-says https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253976/pope-francis-rested-well-doing-well-after-night-in-hospital-vatican-says Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, an internationally-renowned expert in protecting children and vulnerable adults from clerical sex abuse, has resigned from his position on the Vatican’s safeguarding commission. The move was announced by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on Wednesday. The 56-year-old Zollner, a founding member of the commission, said in a statement March 29 tha