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ARCHIVE - Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience. Photo: Alessandra Tarantino/AP/dpa
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Due to a cold, Pope Francis will hold the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday in the chapel of his residence in the Vatican. This was announced by the Holy See. Due to the "severe cold and the cold symptoms that have appeared in recent days", the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church will not hold the prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace as usual, but from home.
Francis, who only celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, has been suffering from health problems for some time. He now usually sits in a wheelchair during public appearances. In recent winters, the Argentinian has been plagued by colds on several occasions. He had already celebrated the Angelus prayer in the chapel of the Santa Marta guest house several times last winter due to respiratory problems.
In the latest statement, the Holy See also referred to the Pope's "commitments" over the next week - a busy schedule awaits him over the Christmas holidays. On Christmas Eve, Francis will not only hold Christmas mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The opening of the Holy Door also marks the beginning of the Holy Year 2025, a jubilee year that only occurs every 25 years. On Christmas Day, he will then give the traditional blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the city and the world").
21.12.2024, 17:54
