Pope Francis, who is 86 years old, is currently recovering from the flu and inflammation of the respiratory tract. As a result, he has been advised by doctors to cancel his trip to the United Arab Emirates for a United Nations climate summit. This summit marks the first time a pontiff would have addressed a UN climate conference.
The pope’s health is said to be improving, but doctors recommended he not travel to Dubai. While the Vatican statement expressed regret over this decision, it also mentioned that they are exploring ways for Pope Francis to contribute to the climate discussions remotely.
Last week, the pope was diagnosed with the flu and had a CT scan, which ruled out pneumonia. On Sunday, he skipped his traditional appearance at St Peter’s Square and gave his blessing in a televised appearance from the Vatican hotel chapel where he resides. This is not the first time Pope Francis has had to alter his plans due to health reasons. In 2022, he postponed a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan due to knee inflammation.
Despite these setbacks, Pope Francis continues to maintain a sense of humor about his health, remarking in a recent interview, “Still alive, you know.”