Pope Francis says his bronchitis is ‘much better’ but still tired

Pope Francis said Wednesday he was feeling “much better” after two weeks of bronchitis, Although he again asked aides to read out his speech.

Francis, who had part of his lung removed as a young man, told a weekly public audience: If he talks too much, he will still get tired.

The Pope, who turned 87 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 was his second bout of severe bronchitis this year, as he was hospitalized for three days in the spring 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.

Explaining why he lets an assistant read his words, he said: “I’m better, but if I talk too much I get tired.”

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 ones who win are the weapons manufacturers.”

To avoid worsening of his illness due to changing temperatures, Francis has been giving 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.

However, Pope Francis will make his annual visit on Friday to pray in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary at Rome’s Spanish Steps to mark an important Catholic holiday and officially kick off Christmas in Rome, the Vatican confirmed.

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 images of the Blessed Mother.