In a surprising turn of events, Pope Francis, who is set to turn 87 next month, did not make his usual appearance at the St. Peter's Square window on Sunday. The Vatican had previously announced that he was suffering from a mild flu, but it was revealed that the pontiff is actually battling lung inflammation. In a televised appearance from the chapel in the Vatican hotel where he resides, Pope Francis explained that he was unable to appear at the window due to the inflammation of his lungs. He further added that a priest sitting beside him would read out his reflections for the day.
Despite this health setback, Pope Francis remains determined to fulfill his commitments, including a trip to Dubai this week to address the climate change conference. In his reflections, delivered by the priest, the pope emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, describing it as a great peril that puts life on Earth, especially for future generations, at risk. He expressed gratitude to all those who would accompany him on this voyage with prayer and a commitment to safeguarding the environment.
The Vatican had previously stated that Pope Francis had undergone a CT scan at a Rome hospital to rule out any pulmonary complications, and the results were negative. However, no explanation was given regarding the discrepancy between the pope's statement about lung inflammation and the Vatican's earlier announcement.
This is not the first time this year that Pope Francis has faced health issues. In the spring, he was hospitalized for three days due to pneumonia, which the Vatican later described as a case of bronchitis. He underwent treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Additionally, in June, the pontiff spent nine days in the hospital for hernia surgery and scar removal.
The weather in Rome this weekend has been unusually chilly for late autumn, with strong winds. During his televised appearance, Pope Francis seemed to struggle with his voice, sounding low and occasionally breathless. At the end of his address, he made his usual request for prayers, urging his followers not to forget him.
While the specifics of Pope Francis' condition and treatment remain undisclosed, he is said to be in a "good and stable" condition. He will be receiving intravenous antibiotics and will limit his activities for a few days to regain strength and fight off the lung inflammation. The Vatican did not provide further details about the presence of a bandage on the pope's right hand and what appeared to be a cannula.
Despite his health concerns, Pope Francis remains firmly dedicated to his role as the leader of the Catholic Church and continues to prioritize his mission of addressing global issues such as climate change. As the pontiff prepares for his trip to Dubai, the world watches with hope and prayers for his quick recovery and continued strength in carrying out his duties.
