After several incidents that raised concerns about his health, 87-year-old Pope Francis confirmed during a brief speech at an event in the Vatican on Saturday that he had bronchitis and was unable to read his speech due to a cough.
“I thank you all,” the Argentine pope said at the opening of the Holy See’s Judicial Year. “I have prepared a speech but I cannot read it because of bronchitis.”
The pope was suffering from a mild flu and had to go to a Rome hospital on Wednesday for follow-up tests. That morning, he held a public audience at the Vatican but did not read any of his own words.
The pope canceled scheduled appointments last Saturday and Monday, although he led Angelus prayers on Sunday. Continuing his agenda, he plans to meet with German head of government Olaf Scholz this Saturday.
Francisco, who uses a wheelchair, has developed a series of health problems in recent years, particularly with his knees, hips and colon. He also underwent abdominal surgery in June, and in December he had to cancel a trip to Dubai to attend COP28, the major annual climate event organized by the United Nations, due to bronchitis.
