He was unable to read his speech.
Pope Francis, 87, suffered a cough during an event at the Vatican on Saturday, preventing him from speaking as planned.
“I thank you all, I prepared a speech but I am unable to read it, because of bronchitis,” declared the Argentine pontiff at the opening of the judicial year of the Holy See.
This Saturday, he is also due to receive the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
“Control exams” on Wednesday
The pope, suffering from a “mild flu condition”, went to a hospital in Rome on Wednesday “for check-ups”.
Earlier in the morning, Jorge Bergoglio held his weekly general audience at the Vatican, but did not read his text himself.
He had canceled his appointments the previous Saturday and Monday, however celebrating the Angelus prayer on Sunday.
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François, 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 for COP28 in December due to bronchitis.