Pope Francis Delegates Speech Due to Persistent Bronchitis Amid Ongoing Health Struggles
In the midst of battling influenza and grappling with bronchitis, Pope Francis took a step back during a ceremony on Saturday, assigning the reading of a prepared speech to Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli. The 87-year-old pontiff, audibly hoarse, explained his inability to read the speech personally due to bronchitis.
The occasion was the opening ceremony of the judicial year for the Vatican tribunal. Despite this setback, Pope Francis managed to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during an audience at the Vatican following the event.
This health episode is the latest in a series of challenges for Pope Francis. A recent hospital visit occurred last Wednesday for a check-up, prompted by his absence from reading at the weekly audience, attributed to “a bit of cold.” Previous cancellations on Monday and the prior Saturday were linked to a mild flu, though the Pope addressed the crowds in St Peter’s Square on Sunday as part of his regular weekly routine.
Notably, Pope Francis had to forgo a planned trip to the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai at the beginning of December due to the lingering effects of influenza and lung inflammation. In January, he faced a bout of bronchitis that interrupted a speech, followed by reassurances of improvement despite experiencing “some aches and pains.”
The Pope’s enduring health struggles harken back to his youth in Argentina when he underwent the removal of part of a lung. As concerns about his well-being persist, the faithful around the world remain attentive to updates on the pontiff’s health.