Stephen Hawking spends 'two nights in hospital' in Rome after feeling unwell
Physicist reportedly went to hospital 'as a precaution', but his condition is said not to be serious
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Stephen Hawking has had to go to hospital in Rome after feeling unwell, but according to a spokesman his condition is not believed to be serious.
Professor Hawking, 74, was in Rome to attend a conference at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and had met Pope Francis on Monday.
But on Thursday night the motor neurone disease sufferer was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital – where popes are treated - for checks, after he was reported to not be feeling well.
He spent two nights in hospital in the Gemelli “as a precaution”, according to hospital sources, but they added that “the situation was under control”.
A Vatican source meanwhile said plans for Hawking and his entourage to leave on Saturday had not been changed.
The physicist and cosmologist has been vocal on world affairs in recent weeks. In a column on Thursday he delivered a rallying cry for the human race to “work together” and “break down barriers” following Donald Trump’s election victory.
Professor Hawking added that it would be a “terrible mistake” to ignore the populism behind the votes for Brexit and the billionaire tycoon in the US, before going on to warn that “we are at the most dangerous moment in the development of humanity” with the “technology to destroy the planet”.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments