In a visible display of resilience, Pope Francis made a limited appearance at his weekly audience in the Vatican’s Paul IV hall on Wednesday, a day after canceling his planned trip to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai due to health concerns. The 86-year-old pontiff, sounding wheezy and acknowledging his health condition, opted to have an aide read his main text in his place.
Greeting the assembled crowd with a subdued “Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome,” Pope Francis explained, “since I am still not well with this flu and (my) voice is not nice,” someone else would present the main message. Despite his ailing health, the pope’s entrance was met with applause and chants of “Viva il papa” (“Long live the pope”).
On Tuesday, the Vatican announced the cancellation of Pope Francis’s scheduled three-day trip to Dubai for COP28, citing doctor’s orders due to health concerns. While there has been an improvement in the pope’s general clinical condition regarding the flu and respiratory tract inflammation, doctors advised against the journey.
In his limited address at the weekly audience, Pope Francis highlighted the ongoing truce in the Gaza Strip, called for the release of all hostages, and urged humanitarian aid access into the territory. Expressing concern for the dire situation in Gaza, he emphasized the need for peace and drew attention to the suffering of ordinary people facing shortages of water and bread.
“War is always a defeat, everybody loses (apart from) one group that profits a lot: arms manufacturers who make good money from the death of others,” the pope remarked, reflecting on the devastating impact of conflict.
Despite struggling with a knee ailment that affects his mobility, Pope Francis walked to the audience with the assistance of a cane. The event featured a brief performance by circus artists, including a clown, acrobats, and jugglers, who shared the podium with the pope. Pope Francis expressed gratitude to the performers, acknowledging their contribution as a “moment of joy.”
The pope’s ability to address the faithful, albeit with limitations, underscores his commitment to fulfilling his spiritual and humanitarian responsibilities even amid health setbacks. As the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis continues to advocate for peace, humanitarian assistance, and the well-being of those affected by conflict, maintaining a visible presence despite the challenges posed by his health.
