As of: March 16, 2024, 11:15 a.m
By: Richard Strobl
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Pope Francis I thoughtfully speaks at the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square in Rome.
© IMAGO/Alberto Lingria
Pope Francis is apparently still in poor health.
On Saturday he spoke to visitors at the Vatican about his ongoing illness.
Rome – The head of the Catholic Church has been suffering from a respiratory illness for months.
Apparently Pope Francis has still not recovered from his illness.
The 87-year-old commented again on his state of health on Saturday morning.
Pope Francis still sick: “Not yet recovered”
“I have not yet recovered,” said Francis with these words to those present in the Vatican on Saturday.
That's why he couldn't read out his greeting to the guests.
The Pope was represented by a Curia official who read out the text.
Pope Francis has been suffering from what appears to be a persistent flu for three weeks.
The disease is causing concern among believers around the world.
The Vatican first officially informed about the current illness on February 24th.
The Vatican then spoke of “mild flu symptoms, without fever”.
Francis had to cancel several appointments.
At meetings in which he attended, the pontiff repeatedly had to be represented - as was the case again.
“I still have a slight cold,” Pope Francis himself said at an appointment.
Pope Francis' health problems continue
At the beginning of March, a video caused a stir: After an audience, Francis was driven in a wheelchair to his Popemobile.
The Pope then fails to get into the car on his own.
A wheelchair is hastily waved over.
Francis is then driven to the audience in this while the Popemobile drives away without him.
Shortly before, a hospital visit by the Pope had caused concern.
Overall, Pope Francis appears to have had health problems since last November.
At that time he was suffering from a lung infection and had to cancel his trip to the World Climate Summit.
This was followed again and again by respiratory infections.
Most recently, Francis caused outrage with statements about the war in Ukraine.
(rist)