Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus following the cancellation of a Lent retreat for the first time over ill health, Italian newspaper, Il Messaggero, reported on Tuesday.
The 83-year-old, who had part of one lung removed because of an illness decades ago, also cancelled most audiences last week.
He had prayed for coronavirus patients on Ash Wednesday and shook hands with worshippers at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City.
Italy has been hit hardest in Europe since the novel coronavirus broke out last December in Wuhan, China.
The 83-year-old was said to have been tested after reportedly showing symptoms of flu such as cough, fever, chills and sore throat.
Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, has not spoken on the reported test result.
So far, 52 persons have died of the disease in Italy, with the number of confirmed cases in the country hitting 1694.
Seventy-three countries including Nigeria have now recorded cases of the deadly virus.
