Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday to treat a weeklong bout of bronchitis and undergo diagnostic tests, the Vatican said, confirming the latest issues with the 88-year-old's pontiff's health that forced him to cancel his agenda through Monday at least.

The 88-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with bronchitis last week but had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite.

Pope Francis will be hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic at the end of Friday’s daily audiences to undergo some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis in the hospital,

Pope Francis will go into hospital in Rome for treatment for bronchitis and medical examinations, the Vatican said Friday.

"Me, with my bronchitis, I cannot (read) still," the pope said. "I hope that next time I can." Francis, 88, has been pope since 2013 and has suffered from influenza and other health problems several times over the past two years.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized for bronchitis and has cancelled events for the next three days. “This morning, at the

Pope Francis, 87, was hospitalized for bronchitis treatment and 'diagnostic tests' on Friday, Feb. 14, the Vatican said in a news release.

Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome for bronchitis treatment, clearing schedule amid ongoing health concerns.

Leader of world’s 1.4 billion Catholics admitted to the Gemelli Hospital for diagnostic tests and further treatment.

Pope Francis was to be hospitalized for bronchitis treatment and necessary diagnostic testing after his Friday audiences, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis has spent a "quiet night" in hospital as medical tests are expected to continue over the weekend due to a respiratory tract infection, Italian media reports.