Francis suffers from pneumonia
The Pope had to cancel all his appointments on Saturday. Now Francis explains that he has an inflammation in his lungs. However, he still wants to go on a planned trip to the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
Pope Francis apparently has an inflammation of the lungs. According to "Corriere della Sera", the 86-year-old explained this via video transmission from the chapel of his residence in the Vatican. He therefore had to cancel his appearance at the window above St. Peter's Square, he said in a hoarse voice. He gave his blessing via video link. "I can't appear at the window today because I have a problem with the inflammation in my lungs," he said. He also had the prayer read out by a priest. The 86-year-old Argentinian appeared exhausted and coughed occasionally during the prayer, but gave the blessing himself at the end.
On Saturday, the 86-year-old had canceled planned appointments - due to a mild flu, as the Vatican had announced. It is now reported that the Pope visited a hospital for a check-up. Because of this infection, it was also not advisable for the Holy Father to appear at the window of the Apostolic Palace as usual, the newspaper wrote.
Pope turns 87 in December
According to media reports, the 86-year-old nevertheless intends to attend the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai in the near future. The event will take place from November 30 to December 12. The Pope is expected to meet with leading politicians who will be attending the climate conference. A speech by the head of the church is also planned.
The Pope, who will be 87 years old in December, has already had to contend with health problems this year: in March, Francis was admitted to hospital in Rome with a respiratory infection, in May he suffered from a fever and had to cancel appointments.
In June, the pontiff then had to undergo emergency surgery due to an impending intestinal blockage and then remain in hospital again for several days. The Pope's symptoms had previously worsened, as the Vatican announced at the time. By the evening of the same day, however, the official statement was: "Pope Francis' operation is over: It went without complications." The Pope had already undergone surgery for an inflammation of the intestine in 2021. Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, is also said to have knee problems. He has therefore attended some appointments in a wheelchair in the past.
Despite his ongoing health issues, including pneumonia and previous respiratory infections, Pope Francis remains determined to attend the upcoming International UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, scheduled from November 30 to December 12. Recovering in the Vatican after a hospital stay, the Pope has expressed his intention to participate in significant meetings with global leaders attending the conference and deliver a speech.
Source: www.ntv.de
