Pope Francis has reportedly tested negative for coronavirus.
According to a report in the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, he was forced to cancel a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy due to a cold.
Pope Francis, who had part of one lung removed because of an illness decades ago, had cancelled most audiences last week as well.
The Vatican did not immediately respond to the reports.
It comes as Italy is battling a surging outbreak of the coronavirus, with 52 deaths reported on Monday.
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The UN Human Rights Office said on Friday nearly 70 per cent of the fatalities it has verified in the Gaza war were women and children, and condemned what it called a systematic violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
Britain names Jonathan Powell as national security adviser
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Indonesian volcano spews ash 10 km high
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted several times on Friday, belching volcanic ash that rose up to 10 km (32,800 ft) into the sky, officials said, following a big eruption on Sunday night that killed nine people.
Israeli PM directs two rescue planes to Amsterdam
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