Concerns over the Pope Francis’ health were raised after he was forced to cancel a number of engagements last week.
The 83-year-old was given a “routine” test after falling ill last Wednesday.
He had symptoms of a cold including a cough, fever, chills and sore throat.
The Pope was soon given a swab test for the COVID-19 virus which has spread across Italy.
He was given the test as a precaution but the results came back negative.
Italy is currently battling the coronavirus as latest figures show 2,000 in the country are infected.
The number of deaths caused by the virus is now 52.
There are no cases of coronavirus in Rome at the time of Pope Francis’ illness.
However fears were raised that he could have contracted COVID-19 after he was pictured shaking hands and kissing faces in a crowd in the capital.
Pope Francis was forced to cancel engagements last week after he fell ill (Image: Getty Images)
The Pope’s health scare was shared by Vatican staff, who felt it was necessary that doctors tested him for the illness.
Medics have not revealed what the Pope is suffering from, but the Pontiff described it as “a cold”.
There are still no cases of coronavirus reported in the Vatican City.
However, the staff member was placed in quarantine over fears they may have caught disease.
The staff member came into contact with a French priest who has since been hospitalised in Paris.
They were soon placed into isolation as a precuationary measure.
Preventative measures are being ramped up by the Vatican as masks and gloves were distributed among staff coming into contact with the public.
Staff were also advised to wash their hands thoroughly and avoid people with symptoms.
Visitors to the the Vatican are being asked to avoid forming dense crowds and to cover their faces when they cough or sneeze.
More to follow…
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