The Pope's health deteriorated sharply

Pope Francis, who is currently being treated in hospital, is in a critical condition. At the request of doctors, he was forced to cancel an audience scheduled for Wednesday, the Vatican press service reported.

"The results of the latest tests have shown the presence of a polymicrobial respiratory infection, which requires a change in the subsequent treatment methods," the Vatican press service said in a statement.

The pope fell ill with bronchitis in January. He was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli clinic in Rome on February 14, as the disease had become chronic.

Pope Francis, 88, is the second longest-serving pontiff of all time, after Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 at the age of 93. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”