Pope Francis has gone to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a check-up. Earlier this year the pope, 86, spent five days in hospital with a lung infection and last month had to skip audiences due to a fever.

Pope Francis went to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a brief check-up on Tuesday and has returned to the Vatican, the Holy See's press office said in a statement.

Pope Francis has gone to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a check-up, news agency Ansa and several other Italian media outlets reported on Tuesday, quoting what they said were sources with knowledge of the matter.

Witnesses say pontiff – treated for bronchitis two months ago – later greeted guards on return to Vatican

Pope Francis has been making headlines due to his poor health of late. In March, he was hospitalised with a respiratory infection.