Pope Francis taken to hospital for tests after suffering flu symptoms

Pontiff undergoes ‘diagnostic’ checks at Gemelli in Rome before returning to Vatican soon afterwards

Pope Francis was taken to hospital on Wednesday after telling worshippers at his weekly audience that he had not yet recovered from the symptoms of flu.

The Vatican press office said Francis, 87, had been taken to Gemelli hospital in Rome for “diagnostic tests” before returning to the Vatican soon afterwards. In a statement on Monday, it had said he was suffering from “light” flu symptoms.