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.
Two Palestinian teens killed in West Bank raid by Israeli settlers, army
Two Palestinian teenagers have been killed on Wednesday in an attack by Israeli settler fighters and army troops on their village in the occupied West Bank, local officials and the Palestinian health ministry said.
Chinese students marooned in floods unleashed by Typhoon Saudel's rains
China has warned of flash floods in the southeastern province of Fujian while heavy rain trapped teachers and students in a compound in eastern Zhejiang as storms from Typhoon Saudel lashed several regions, state media said on Thursday.
Kuwait air defences deal with Iranian missile, drone attacks
The Kuwaiti Armed Forces have announced its air defence systems are actively intercepting Iranian missile and drone attacks early on Thursday.
US and Iran exchange attacks as lull in war appears over
The US and Iran found themselves back on a war footing on Wednesday after the most significant exchange of fire in weeks, with Washington threatening more devastating strikes.
Malta court clears businessman over murder of investigative journalist
Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech, who was accused of commissioning the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, was acquitted on Wednesday at the end of a two-month trial.
