According to reports, Pope Francis who is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the coronavirus.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he had no immediate comment on the report. The 83-year-old Roman Catholic leader, who had part of one lung removed because of an illness decades ago, also cancelled most audiences last week.
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Pope Francis fell ill as Italy was battling a surging outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus. The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 on Monday from 34 just a day before.
The new coronavirus has spread from China to other countries around the world, with Italy among the worst affected with over 2,000 people infected.
His appearance on Sunday was the first time he has been seen publicly since Ash Wednesday, when he was also seen coughing and blowing his nose during Mass, said the Metro newspaper.
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The 83-year-old has been seen coughing and blowing his nose, but the Vatican on Sunday quickly shot down speculation that the pope himself had come down with COVID-19.
However, Messaggero report did not indicate when Francis had been tested for the disease.
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