(ZENIT News / Rome, 06.02.2025).- Late in the afternoon on Thursday, February 6, the Holy See Press Office reported that “Because of the bronchitis he is suffering these days and in order to be able to continue his activities, Pope Francis will hold the audiences on Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th in Casa Santa Marta.”
Two events this week reflected that the Pope’s health is anything but good. During the General Audience on Wednesday, February 5, the catechesis was not read by him but by one of his assistants. A day later, on Thursday the 6th, he held audiences with Orthodox clergy and monks, and with Italian obstetricians and gynecologists but he did not pronounce his prepared addresses, instead, he handed them in writing.
However, Pope Francis’ health, that of an 88 year-old man, cannot be appreciated solely by these last events.
Visible in early December of last year, was a hematoma on his neck, which resulted from a fall. Weeks later, on January 16, the Holy Father appeared publicly with an arm immobilized and wearing a cloth sling. The reason? A second fall. Then on Saturday, February 1, the Pope almost fell again, this time in public, as he entered the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall with a walking stick.
Since June 2023 the Pope’s health has deteriorated even more. At the time he underwent surgery of the colon. In the winter of 2023-2024 he did not read any of his addresses in public and even had to cancel events, including an international trip (to Dubai). There is no doubt that winter is the worst time of the year for Pope Francis.
