Pope Francis has tested negative for the coronavirus after suffering a slight cold, which led him to cancel several public gatherings, newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Tuesday.
The Rome paper said Francis, 83, underwent the test as he has been suffering from a cough, a slight temperature, a sore throat and chills. The illness sparked speculation in Italian media that he had contracted the virus.
A spokesman for the Pope did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Francis was taken ill last week after leading a procession in Rome. He has been only slightly unwell and has maintained his private meetings, a Vatican official said last week.
Image credits: AP/Andrew Medichini