Rumors swirl over Pope Francis' health amid hospitalization

Pope Francis, 88, has been hospitalized since Friday and was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs on Tuesday, according to the Vatican. However, limited official updates have fueled speculation about his condition, given the Vatican’s history of secrecy regarding papal health.

The Vatican press office has issued only two brief updates per day, with the latest report noting "slight improvement" in his blood tests, particularly in inflammatory indices. Francis is undergoing cortisone antibiotic therapy for a polymicrobial infection.