Biden, Fernandez concerned about Pope's health

STORY: Fernandez was in Washington for talks with Biden when the issue of the Pope's health was mentioned, according to Fernandez.

"We had a meeting between us where we exchanged ideas on the present, things that are happening. The two of us concerned about someone that we both care a lot about, Pope Francis and his health," he said.

Pope Francis has a respiratory infection and will need to spend "a few days" in hospital for treatment, the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday, amid concern for the 86-year-old's condition.

The statement said the pontiff was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties over the past few days. It added that tests showed he had the infection but did not have COVID-19.

Francis is sometimes short of breath and generally more exposed to respiratory problems, having had part of one lung removed in his early 20s when training to be a priest in his native Argentina.

His latest hospitalization comes ahead of a Palm Sunday service on April 2 that marks the start of a hectic week of ceremonies leading to Easter Sunday on April 9, throwing into doubt whether he would be able to lead them as customary.