Pope Francis Hospitalized

Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has been hospitalized in Rome, the Vatican announced in a terse statement on Wednesday. 

The Pope, the statement said, was in the hospital for scheduled health checks before his Thursday appointments were cancelled, suggesting that exigencies may have cropped up.

“The Holy Father has been at Gemelli (Hospital) since this afternoon for some previously scheduled checks,” Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, explained in the statement.

But a section of the Italian media reported that the Pontiff was taken to hospital by ambulance after suffering from what they described as "respiratory and cardiac problems." 

The Pontiff earlier appeared in good spirits at his weekly audience at the Vatican. He was seen smiling while greeting church faithfuls from his “popemobile”.

He was however, noticed to be grimacing while being helped into the vehicle.