Pope Francis has canceled an audience scheduled for Saturday as a precaution after coming down with mild flu, the Vatican press office said in a brief statement, without adding further details.
Francis was scheduled to fulfill with Rome deacons within the morning.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said later Saturday that the pope’s weekly Sunday Angelus address was still to be confirmed, and that no further health updates were expected for the day.
The 87-year-old pontiff has had several health problems in recent times. In late November, he was forced to cancel a few of his activities and a global trip due to respiratory problems. A scan on the time ruled out lung complications. Francis had a component of 1 lung removed when he was young and still living in his native Argentina.
In April, the pope spent three days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for what the Vatican said was bronchitis. He was discharged after receiving intravenous antibiotics.
Francis also spent 10 days at the identical hospital in July 2021 following intestinal surgery for narrowing of the bowel. He was readmitted in June 2023 for an operation to repair an abdominal hernia and take away scarring from previous surgeries.
When asked about his health in a recent television interview, Francis quipped what has turn into his standard line: “Still alive, you recognize.”
Over the past two years, Francis has indicated several times that he can be able to step down, following the instance of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, if his health deteriorates to the purpose that it becomes an impediment to him leading the Catholic Church. However, in a TV interview last month, he said he felt in good health and denied immediate plans to resign.
Speculation about Francis’ health and the long run of his pontificate has risen following Benedict’s death in late 2022. Benedict’s resignation in 2013 marked a turning point for the church, as he became the primary pontiff in six centuries to step down.
