Pope Francis tested negative for the coronavirus after developing a cold last Wednesday, according to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.
The paper on Tuesday reported that Francis, 83, has been suffering from a cold but is not infected with the virus, known as SARS-CoV-2. The Vatican has not publicly commented on the pope’s health.
Francis came down with a “slight indisposition” last Thursday, according to the Vatican. He canceled a planned mass at St. John Lateran Basilica. Francis was seen coughing at Ash Wednesday mass the day before, after shaking the hands of many people at a St. Peter’s Square audience and kissing a young child on his forehead.
Francis expressed “closeness” to victims of the disease.
“I wish, again, to express my closeness to those who are ill with coronavirus and to healthcare workers who are caring for them,” he said after noticing several people in the crowd wearing protective masks.
Over the next few days, Francis canceled events, including a Lenten retreat he had planned to attend. He has continued to work from home, according to Vatican officials. The absence is his longest during his seven-year tenure as pope.
Italy has confirmed 1,694 cases of the coronavirus, with 34 deaths. The center of the outbreak has been in Northern Italy, with only seven confirmed cases in Rome.
