Pope unable to deliver speech due to 'bronchitis' Pope Francis, aged 87, was overcome by coughing as he was due to read a speech this Saturday. By midweek, he had spent time in hospital with a'mild flu condition' The pope, who uses a wheelchair, has experienced a series of health problems in recent years, notably with his knees, hips and colon.
He also had abdominal surgery in June and canceled his trip to Dubai in December due to bronchitis.