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Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni has visited the Pope in hospital, where he has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. <\/p>\n
The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday with a respiratory infection. <\/p>\n
Meloni said in a statement that she was “very happy to have found him alert and responsive. We joked as always. He hasn’t lost his proverbial sense of humour.”<\/p>\n
She offered him best wishes for a speedy recovery, on behalf of the Italian government and the whole country. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Earlier in the week, the Vatican said medical tests and a chest X-ray showed “a complex picture”.<\/p>\n
Pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar the lungs, causing chest pain and making breathing more difficult.<\/p>\n
The Vatican said in its latest update on the pontiff’s fragile health that he was alert and ate breakfast. <\/p>\n
A Vatican official said the Pope was still able to get out of bed and sit in an armchair in his hospital room, and he was continuing to do some work.<\/p>\n
He has cancelled a papal audience scheduled for Saturday and is not well enough to attend Mass on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Outside the hospital, well-wishers and pilgrims have continued to gather to pray, light candles and write notes of encouragement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n