Eighty-three-year-old Pope Francis, who has been suffering from a cold for nearly a week now has tested negative for the coronavirus.
The Vatican did not comment on the diagnosis, but last week said the pope was feeling “slightly unwell.”
Even with his cold, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus on Sunday and greeted people during the few meetings he had last week, including at the General Audience.
However, for the first time, the pope did not attend his spiritual exercises out of Rome. They were scheduled this week, from Sunday to Friday. Instead, he is participating from his home at Casa Santa Marta, inside the Vatican.
By resting in this way, he is hoping to make a full recovery and pick up his normal schedule next week.
In Italy, out of more than 2,000 infected, 52 have died from the disease, while 149 have been cured.
Melissa Butz
