Pope has mild flu

Pope Francis canceled his weekly appearance at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday, a day after the Vatican said he had a mild case of the flu.

The Vatican press office said in a brief statement that Francis will recite the noon prayer and then give the traditional blessing in the chapel of the Vatican hotel where he lives. His prayer will be televised live and shown on a big screen in the square, where thousands usually gather at their windows to watch the pope’s appearance.

The Vatican said on Saturday that Francis, who turns 87 in December, had been taken to a Rome hospital for a CT scan that showed no lung complications.

The pope was hospitalized for three days this year with pneumonia, which the Vatican described as bronchitis, and required treatment with intravenous antibiotics.

This weekend saw strong winds and unusually cold temperatures for late autumn in Rome.

Francis was due to fly to Dubai on Friday for a two-night visit focused on his speech at the COP28 climate conference. The Vatican on Saturday provided more details about his trip there, suggesting the pope plans to continue traveling.