Pope has pneumonia in both lungs but remains in good spirits, the Vatican says

It follows an announcement earlier on Tuesday that the Vatican has cancelled papal audiences throughout the weekend and delegated others to cover for Pope Francis

The Vatican said Pope Francis’s respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty

Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican said on Tuesday, after new tests showed a further complication in the condition of the 88-year-old pope.

The Vatican said Francis’s respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment.