Pope Francis did some work on his fourth day in hospital Monday, but the 88-year-old faces a “complex clinical picture” that will require a longer than expected stay, the Vatican said.

The head of the Catholic Church was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday with bronchitis, the latest of a series of health issues in recent years.

In a statement earlier Monday, the Vatican said tests confirmed “a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in treatment.”

“All the tests carried out until now are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalization,” it said.

In an early evening update, it said his clinical condition was unchanged; he continued to be fever-free and was continuing the unspecified treatment.

“This morning, he received the Eucharist and subsequently dedicated himself to some work and reading texts,” the update said.

“Pope Francis is touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness he continues to receive,” it added.

After initially canceling events through Monday, the Vatican said the Pope’s weekly Wednesday audience would not go ahead either.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni had earlier told reporters that the Pope was in “good humor,” had rested well overnight, had eaten breakfast and read the newspapers.

A source in the Pope’s entourage had also insisted there was no alarm within the Vatican.

Francis was admitted after a “very busy” two weeks, during which “he was weakened,” the source told AFP, but added: “There is no alarmism.”

A Vatican source told AFP the Pope was receiving oxygen.

Yet the news of the more complex situation raises fresh concerns about the Argentine pontiff, who has suffered increasing health issues in recent years.

Difficulty breathing

In the days before his admission, Francis had admitted to difficulty breathing and had asked aides several times to read his speeches on his behalf.

At his weekly general audience last Wednesday, he said he “cannot yet” read his own speeches, adding with a smile: “I hope that next time I can.”

But he had continued taking meetings, including one with the prime minister of Slovakia on Friday morning, shortly before he headed to hospital.

Francis had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man and has been particularly susceptible to respiratory infections.

He pulled out of a Good Friday event last year after catching what the Vatican called a “light flu,” but went on to lead Easter services as planned.

A year earlier, in March 2023, Francis was admitted to hospital for three nights with bronchitis, which was cured with antibiotics.

In June 2023, the Pope underwent a hernia operation and in 2021 underwent surgery for a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine.