The 88-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with bronchitis last week but had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite.

Carnival Season typically starts after Epiphany on Jan. 6 and culminates on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 5 this year.

Pope Francis is being admitted to hospital on Friday for “necessary tests” and to continue his ongoing bronchitis treatment, ...

On Friday, the pope appeared bloated and pale during the handful of audiences he held before going to the hospital.

Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis last Thursday, but had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite.

Pope Francis is being hospitalized to treat bronchitis and undergo some necessary diagnostic tests, the Vatican said Friday, ...