(ZENIT News / Rome, 02.26.2024).- One day after concluding the spiritual exercises, Pope Francis canceled his scheduled meetings on Saturday, February 24. The brief reason provided by the Holy See Press Office, through its Telegram channel, stated: «Due to a mild flu, as a precaution, the Pope canceled the audiences scheduled for today.»
On Sunday, February 25, the Pope appeared in public during the traditional Angelus, from the window of the pontifical apartment overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The Pope did not seem particularly ill: he did hold onto the edges of a piece of furniture in front of him tightly, as if to maintain balance, but nothing more.
However, at the beginning of the following day, Monday, February 26, another brief message arrived from the Press Office, also via Telegram: «Mild flu symptoms persist, without fever. As a precaution, this morning’s audiences have been suspended.»
During December 2023 and January 2024, Pope Francis refrained from delivering speeches, publicly citing the flu. A first impression might suggest that he never fully recovered.
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