NNA - The Vatican announced that Pope Francis headed Sunday Mass from the hospital where he was admitted on Friday to receive treatment for bronchitis, missing the Angelus prayer that he usually leads from the balcony of St. Peter's Square in Rome, according to "Agence France-Presse".

Pope Francis, 88, was admitted on Friday to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome to receive treatment for "prolonged bronchitis" and the reception sessions scheduled for Saturday and Sunday were canceled.

The Vatican said in a statement on Saturday evening that "Pope Francis spent a comfortable night. He did not have a temperature," noting that "laboratory tests conducted today (Saturday) showed some improvement" and that "doctors advised complete rest."

Consequently, the Pope did not lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica, and in a letter he apologized to several artists and other cultural figures he was scheduled to meet.

"I would have liked to be with you, but as you know, I am here at Gemelli Hospital because I still need some treatment for bronchitis," he said in his message.

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