Pope does not speak because he has ‘a little bronchitis’: ‘I have a lot of difficulty speaking’

The pope revealed during an ordinary audience at the Vatican that he suffered from “a little bronchitis” which prevented him from reading the speech he had prepared for the occasion. “I would like to read the entire speech, but I have a problem: I have a bit of bronchitis and I don’t speak very well,” Pope Francis told attendees at a seminar on the “Ecclesial Communication University” promoted by the Episcopal Church in France. “If you are not offended, I will give you the speech. I’m sorry. I would give it to all of you, but I have a lot of difficulty speaking,” the pope added. This was the third appointment of the day. On the first two occasions, the Pope read from his prepared text, with some difficulty. At present, the Holy See Press Office has not provided further information about the pope’s health. The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli General Hospital twice last year. In March, he suffered complications from a respiratory infection; in June, he underwent surgery to treat an abdominal hernia that could be blocking his intestines.