Pope Francis who was suffering from symptoms of cold has been tested negative for coronavirus after he was forced to cancel a series of engagements last week due to illness.
According to an Italian newspaper, Messaggero, the 83-year-old pontiff was given a ‘routine’ test after falling ill on Ash Wednesday and the results have come back negative.
The pope had fallen ill as Italy battles a coronavirus outbreak that has sickened more than 2,00 people and killed 52 sparking rumors of him being infected after he had reiterated his vicinity to those who are infected by Covid-19.
Francis canceled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy this weekend, after axing all public meetings at the end of last week over the cold.
