Pope Francis held the general audience this Wednesday in St. Peter's Square, and not inside the Paul VI classroom, despite the cold morning in Rome, and again he
did not read the catechism that he had prepared
, but instead he a collaborator because he stated that
he still has a cold.
Added to the respiratory discomfort was
the impossibility of getting into the Popemobile on his own,
a moment that was recorded by the press.
For more than a week, Francis has been suffering from a cold that has made him cancel some events and for which last Wednesday, after the general audience, he went to the Gemelli hospital on the Tiber Island, in the center of Rome, for tests.
Although the pontiff normally resumed his agenda, he
has not read his speeches because he claims that he gets tired when he has to read a lot
, although he does deliver his appeals.
Added to the respiratory discomfort are his problems getting around, which have been with him for some years.
This Wednesday it was seen that
he tried to get into the Popemobile by himself, but finally gave up because he couldn't.
The difficulty in getting around has been a constant in recent years for Francisco.
Photo: ANSA / Ettore Ferrari
The pontiff requested help from his custodians, who
brought him a wheelchair
to walk the perimeter of the fence that separates him from the parishioners who attend the audience every Wednesday.
The Vatican confirmed that Francis will preside over all Holy Week celebrations
Despite the health problems that afflict him, the Vatican confirmed this Wednesday the presence of the Pope at all the events of
Holy Week,
from Palm Sunday from March 24 to March 31, with the Mass of Resurrection.
Francis will go to the Rebibbia women's prison in Rome on March 28 to celebrate the
Holy Thursday
mass and the traditional washing of the feet of the inmates, as he has done on other occasions in a tradition from when he was archbishop of Rome. Buenos Aires.
In addition, the Vatican confirmed the celebration of the mass on March 24,
Palm Sunday,
which commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem at 10:00 local time, while on March 28,
Holy Thursday
, also in the Vatican basilica, will celebrate the Chrism Mass at 9:30 a.m., the day on which priests renew their promises.
The Pope finally greeted those present at today's audience in a wheelchair.
Photo ANSA / Ettore Ferrari
On
Good Friday
there will be the usual double date with the celebration of the Passion of the Lord at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter's and then at 9:15 p.m. the traditional Stations of the Cross in the Colosseum in Rome, where he was not last year because he was away. in the process of recovery and it was bitterly cold that night.
On the afternoon of March 30,
Holy Saturday
, the Vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m.
Finally, on
Easter Sunday
mass is planned in St. Peter's Square at 10:00 and then at 12:00 he will go up to the central loggia of the basilica to give the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
With information from EFE and ANSA