Rome.– Pope Francis said Wednesday he was feeling “much better” Two weeks after suffering bronchitis, though, he once again asked an aide to read his speech.
Francis, who had part of his lung removed as a young man, told a weekly public audience that he still gets tired if he talks too much.
The Pope, who will celebrate his 87th birthday on December 17, fell ill with the flu on November 25 and was forced to cancel his planned trip to Dubai to attend the United Nations Climate Conference. He later revealed that he had been diagnosed with acute infectious bronchitis, which caused breathing difficulties.
This is the second time he has suffered from severe bronchitis this year.Since the spring he was hospitalized for three days receiving intravenous antibiotics.
Francis walked to the podium in the Vatican auditorium on crutches and smiled brightly at the cheering crowd. He seemed in good spirits and at the end of the audience received several bishops who came to speak with him privately.
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Explaining why he asked his aides to read his words, he said: “I’m better, but I get tired if I talk too much.”
Francis then briefly asked for prayers for all those suffering from the war, including the people of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza.
“Wars are always lost,” he said. “No one wins, everyone loses. The only winners are the weapons manufacturers.”
To avoid worsening of his condition due to changing temperatures, Francis has given his Sunday blessings every Sunday for the past two weeks in a chapel in the Vatican rather than in the open window of his study overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
HoweverVatican confirms Francis will make annual visit on Friday to pray in front of statue of Virgin Mary at Rome’s Spanish Steps On the occasion of an important Catholic holiday, Christmas in Rome officially begins.
The pope also plans to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore again on that day, the Day of the Immaculate Conception, to pray in front of one of his favorite statues of Mary.