Pope Francis wrestles with health woes, delivers Angelus prayer from residence
In the face of a lingering respiratory ailment, Pope Francis delivered the traditional Angelus prayer from his Vatican residence on a recent Sunday. "I cannot make my routine appearance at the window today due to this lung inflammation issue," the Catholic Church leader shared in a hoarse voice. Deviating from the usual routine, Francis led the prayer from his living quarters at Santa Marta and even had a priest recite the prayer for him.
The Argentinean Pontiff displayed signs of weariness and coughed intermittently during the spiritual event. Yet, he offered his blessings at the prayer's conclusion. He also affirmed his participation in the upcoming COP28 climate conference in Dubai, citing this in a text read out by a clergyman.
Unforeseen Health Setbacks and Medical Attention
In an unexpected turn of events, the Holy See revealed on Saturday that Pope Francis had cancelled all engagements due to an unspecified illness. The initial diagnosis was a mild flu, but later on, Francis underwent a CT scan at a Rome healthcare facility to rule out complications. Following the examination, he was discharged and returned to the Vatican.
A Glance at Pope Francis' Current Health Issues
Pope Francis' health concerns have been a recurring theme in recent months, prompting frequent hospitalizations. His first hospital stay was for pneumonia, and later, he underwent open abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. In response to recurring health inquiries, he would often jest, "I'm still alive!"
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Over the past few days, Pope Francis has grappled with severe bronchitis, leading him to alter his routine. This respiratory problem has impacted his speech and prevented him from reading his speeches. The Pope has also appeared visibly fatigued and has gained some weight, which some attribute to the use of corticosteroids.
These health challenges have necessitated modifications to his public appearances, such as holding audiences at his Santa Marta residence instead of the Apostolic Palace. Despite the setbacks, Francis has continued to carry out his duties, appearing determined to soldier on.
Pope Francis continues his religious duties, even in the face of bronchitis and other health challenges. Verbally, he announced his appearance at the Paul VI audience hall on February 12 and his planned visit to the Cinecittà film studios in Rome for the Jubilee of Artists.
