On Friday morning, he held audiences at the Vatican before his hospitalization, including with the prime minister of Slovakia and with Mark Thompson, CNN's chief executive. During the meeting, the pope was mentally alert but struggling to speak for extended periods due to breathing difficulties,

NBC News' Claudio Lavanga reports that Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital in Rome and is being treated for bronchitis, with his schedule suspended for the next three days.

Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday to treat a weeklong bout of bronchitis and undergo diagnostic tests, the Vatican said, confirming the latest issues with the 88-year-old's pontiff's health that forced him to cancel his agenda through Monday at least.

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

Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday for the fourth time since being elected in 2013, after he was diagnosed with bronchitis last week. Francis had part of one lung removed as a young man and has recurring bouts of bronchitis,

Pope Francis will be admitted to hospital in Rome to undergo treatment and tests for bronchitis, the Vatican has said. The 88-year-old will arrive at the Gemelli hospital after his morning audiences on Friday,

Pope Francis will be hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic at the end of Friday’s daily audiences to undergo some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis in the hospital,

The Vatican has confirmed that nightly prayers are starting this week as Pope Francis remains in critical condition.

Vatican officials said that Pope Francis had developed pneumonia in both lungs, further complicating the pontiff’s recovery

Pope Francis was to be hospitalized for bronchitis treatment and necessary diagnostic testing after his Friday audiences, the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old pontiff is still receiving oxygen therapy through his nose, though at a slightly reduced flow and concentration, according to the Holy See Press Office.