Pope Francis in a wheelchair: worry about the pontiff even at Christmas

Created: 2022-12-25 09:53

By: Richard Strobl

Pope Francis spent most of the Christmas mass in a wheelchair.

© IMAGO/Stefano Spaziani/UPI Photo

Pope Francis spent most of the Christmas mass in a wheelchair.

The background is an illness and an injury to the knee.

Rome – Almost 7,000 people attended the largest Christmas mass in Europe in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on Christmas Eve.

In addition, almost 3,000 believers followed the mass on large screens on St. Peter's Square.

On December 24th, for the first time since the beginning of the corona pandemic, there were no longer any restrictions.

Thus, the Christmas mass in the Vatican was reminiscent of celebrations before the pandemic.

However, Pope Francis showed up again in a wheelchair, raising concerns among some believers.

Pope Francis in a wheelchair: concern for the pontiff

Although the Pope presided over the Mass, he spent most of the time sitting next to the altar because of a knee problem.

Apparently, the situation has not improved significantly.

In June, Pope Francis sat in a wheelchair for the first time during a mass.

Before that, he had hobbled more and more frequently and had had to cancel a few appointments.

According to afp, the background is a ligament injury in the right knee on the one hand and chronic arthritis on the other.

Because of the health problems of the 86-year-old Argentinian, there had been rumors of a resignation in the summer.

Pope Francis initially denied this.

At the end of July, however, he announced that he wanted to travel less because of his health problems.

He must "save his strength a little" and otherwise "consider the possibility of stepping aside".

Most recently, it was even known that Pope Francis had already signed a letter of resignation when he took office in 2013 - in the event that he could no longer perform his office due to health problems.

Concern for Pope Francis at Christmas too - he has so far refused an operation

In July, concerns about the Pope increased again.

During his trip to Canada, it became known that he had been unable to take a few steps for days and had spent most of his time in a wheelchair.

He was accompanied by a nurse and a doctor.

Surgery could help the pontiff with his knee problems, but Francis has so far refused surgery.

"The whole problem is the anesthesia," he said.

"You don't play with that," the Pope continued.

The background: In 2021 he had an operation on the colon.

The anesthetic still has after-effects on him today.

But Pope Francis also found clear words about the wheelchair at the Christmas mass in 2022.

Without explicitly naming the Ukraine war, he said: “People who are hungry for power and money even consume their loved ones, their brothers and sisters.

How many wars are there!

And in how many places are dignity and freedom still trampled underfoot today!” Nevertheless, Francis was hopeful and addressed a great appeal to the world: “Brothers, sisters, God is poor at Christmas: May charity blossom again!”

On Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis will give his traditional Christmas speech from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and then give the blessing "Urbi et Orbi" for the tenth time in his term of office.

According to the Catholic faith, people who follow the blessing live on radio, television or the Internet can also be freed from their sins under certain conditions.

(rjs/dpa)