Pope briefly at hospital for tests two months after bronchitis, returns to Vatican

By PAOLO SANTALUCIA and NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has made a quick trip to a hospital for tests and returned to the Vatican, two months after he was hospitalized with an acute case of bronchitis. The Vatican confirmed the hospital visit, and witnesses said they saw the pontiff return to the Vatican before noon Tuesday. The visit came more than two months after the 86-year-old pope spent three days at the hospital with acute bronchitis in late March. Initially the Vatican said he had gone in for scheduled tests. But Francis later revealed he had felt pain in his chest and was rushed to the hospital. His next public appointment, if confirmed, would be his weekly general audience on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square.