Doctors order ‘absolute rest’ for pope in hospital

A marble statue of the late Pope John Paul II is backdropped by the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Doctors on Saturday prescribed “absolute rest” for Pope Francis and modified the treatment for his respiratory tract infection, the Vatican said, a day after he was admitted to hospital after a week-long bout of bronchitis.

On doctors’ orders, Francis, 88, will not deliver his traditional Sunday noon blessing, which he could have done from his hospital room if he was well enough.