Pope Francis was mildly ill and test results showed he was negative for nCoV, Italy's Il Messaggero newspaper reported on March 3.

Il Messaggero, a newspaper founded in 1878 in Rome, Italy, said Pope Francis, 83, had tested for nCoV after suffering from a cough, minor fever, sore throat. These symptoms forced the Pope to cancel his Lent holiday retreat, sparking speculation in Italian media that he was infected with nCoV.

However, Il Messaggero today confirmed that the Pope was negative for nCoV after testing. Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni has not commented on this information.

The head of the Vatican last week showed a "mild illness" and had to cancel his meeting with followers in Rome after coughing and sneezing during Mass on February 26. The pope planned to attend Lent Week with senior Vatican officials, starting on the evening of March 1 at a mansion south of Rome, but suddenly announced to only watch the ceremony from his guesthouse. Vatican.

Pope Francis had a partial amputation due to the disease decades ago, but has not missed the Lenten Mass since becoming head of the Holy See in March 2013.

Information on the pope's health comes as Covid-19 appears to be spreading in Italy, with more than 2,000 infections and more than 50 deaths. 11 Italian towns are being cordoned off to prevent Covid-19 from spreading. Some tourist sites, such as the Firenze Cathedral in Milan, reopened on February 3, but restricted the number of visitors.

Many countries and territories recommend that citizens avoid Italy when the situation of Covid-19 in European countries is complicated.