Skip to content

Pope Francis has ‘mild flu,’ cancels Saturday morning meetings

Pope Francis is sick and is not taking part in his scheduled meetings on Saturday morning, according to the Vatican.

“The Holy Father’s audiences scheduled for this morning are canceled due to a mild flu,” said the Nov. 26 statement from the Holy See Press Office.

It’s the second time this month that the 86-year-old pope’s activity has been affected by illness.

On Nov. 6, the pope had a cold and did not read his prepared remarks at an audience with Jewish rabbis from Europe, deciding to hand over the text instead.

“Thank you for this visit that I appreciate very much, but it happens that I am not well in health and that is why I prefer not to read the speech but give it to you,” the pope reportedly said at the time.

Pope Francis, however, was able to continue with his full schedule for the rest of the day, including a meeting with 7,000 children from over 80 countries.

The pope, who turns 87 next month, has experienced a number of medical setbacks in recent years. He has been hospitalized on more than one occasion, most recently in June for abdominal surgery. In late March, he was treated for bronchitis for several days, quipping on his April 1 release, “I’m still alive you know.”

In this morning’s memo, the Vatican gave no indication if there would be further changes to the pope’s schedule due to his health. According to a schedule available to journalists, he had been set to meet with Umaro Issoco Embaló, the president of Guinea Bassau in West Africa, this morning.

The pope is scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates on Dec. 1 to participate in the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

 

This story was originally posted on CNA.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis: Never Forget That Jesus is Beside You in Your Worst Moments

In life’s worst moments, never forget that Jesus is beside you, Pope Francis said Wednesday.

Pope’s Letter To Grieving Mother Revealed As Jubilee Audience Is Canceled

Pope Francis slept well overnight and his condition continues to improve as he undergoes treatment for a complex respiratory infection at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican announced Thursday morning.

Pope Leo XIV: Jesus can heal the past and transform your history

After a turn in the popemobile to greet thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his general audience on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV continued his catechesis on “Jesus Christ, Our Hope.”

Actor Jonathan Roumie to Catholic creators: Social media is today’s mission field

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, known for his portrayal of Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen,” sent a video message on Monday to those gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers

Italian government leads participants in Catholic Church’s jubilee this weekend

Members of Italy’s local and national governments will be the main participants in events for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee of Government Leaders on June 21–22, part of the wider Jubilee of Hope.

St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish Apostolate with Deacon Zane Langenbrunner

Join us in this heartwarming and inspiring conversation with Deacon Zane Langenbrunner, a seminarian at the Pontifical North

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit