Pope Francis, who is receiving treatment in hospital for a respiratory tract infection, will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his usual weekly prayer with pilgrims, the Vatican said. The pontiff,

The 88-year-old pope was hospitalized in the late morning on Feb. 14 following meetings with a number of people, including the prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico.

The Pope has been admitted to hospital for bronchitis treatment, the Vatican has said. After Friday's daily audiences he was taken to Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic, the Vatican said in a short statement.

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,