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.
US completes 'major' wave of strikes on Iran, Gulf states under attack
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that it completed its latest major wave of strikes against Iran, while Kuwaiti and Qatari defence forces reported intercepting missile attacks early on Friday.
One child injured in Iranian attacks on Qatar
Qatar's Ministry of Interior has announced that a child has sustained an injury as a result of falling debris from interception operations against Iranian attacks early on Friday.
Trump puts election security at centre of Republicans' midterm fight
US President Donald Trump escalated his effort to make election security a central issue in November's midterm elections, asserting that China interfered in the 2020 presidential campaign despite a US intelligence assessment that found no evidence to support that claim.
Texas flooding kills two as US state braces for historic rains
Torrential rains have killed two people in Texas as floodwaters swept them away in their vehicles while the state braced for "record-shattering" rainfall over the next 24 hours, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Thursday afternoon.
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