Pope confirms suffering from bronchitis; continues working with help

VATICAN – Pope Francis announced this Saturday that he is suffering from bronchitis and wants his collaborator, Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli, to read his message at the annual inauguration of the Judiciary of the National Court of Justice in Vatican City.

Despite the artificiality in his voice, the pope stuck to his agenda, including several in the audience.

The Pope explained:

“I have prepared a speech, but as you can see I cannot read it due to bronchitis. “I asked Bishop Ciampanelli to read it. “

Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed on Thursday that the pope was doing fine after undergoing a routine check-up at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for several days of bronchitis.

In his speech, Pope Francis emphasized that courage is needed to seek truth even in the face of serious actions in Christendom.

He emphasized that justice is an act of charity and stressed the importance of having the courage to challenge corruption and face criticism in the process of ensuring fair procedures.

Additionally, the pope held a private meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Vatican, their first official meeting. The two leaders had previously met at the funeral of German Pope Benedict XVI.

Scholz will then attend a conference in Rome where the main candidates of the European Social Democrats and Socialists will be selected for June elections.