Pope Francis was feeling well on Sunday, celebrating the weekly Angelus prayer from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, a day after canceling an appointment due to a bout with the flu.
A brief statement released by the Vatican Press Service on Saturday said the 87-year-old pope was forced to cancel his audience with the deacons in Rome as a precautionary measure due to “mild flu symptoms.”
On Sunday, the Angelus greeted the crowds in a traditional way at an event that has had to be canceled in recent months due to health concerns.
In his speech, Francis recalled “sadly” the second anniversary of the outbreak of “a large-scale war in Ukraine.”
“So many victims, hurt, destruction, pain and tears in a period that has become very long and has no end in sight,” the pope declared.
“This war has not only devastated that part of Europe, but has triggered a wave of fear and hatred around the globe,” he added. “I pray that we can find a small sliver of humanity to create the conditions for a diplomatic solution that seeks justice and Lasting peace.”
The pope also prayed for all those affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and “for all those affected by the war and for concrete help for those who suffer… Let us think of so much suffering, let We think about the innocent children being hurt.”