Suffering from bronchitis, Pope Francis opens judicial year at Vatican

This Saturday morning, with a particularly hoarse voice, Pope Francis confirmed and personally participated in all of his commitments.

In the blessing hall, he spoke to the people present, often interrupted by coughs. He said: “I thank everyone and I have prepared a speech but I cannot read it due to bronchitis.”

“I declare the opening of the judicial year 2024.” Giuseppe Pignatone, president of the Vatican Tribunal, read out this simple formula before Pope Francis in the Blessing Hall to open the new judicial year in the Vatican .

Francis, still tired, said a few greetings but then read a speech prepared by his collaborator, Msgr. Filippo Ciampanelli.

The welcome address was delivered by Vatican Advocate for Justice Alessandro Diddi, who wanted to highlight the “credibility” the Vatican jurisdiction has achieved “over the years” in the international order, “despite not being a member of the European Union , but he added: “The year just past was characterized by important proceedings in both the civil and criminal areas. “