Pope Francis has not yet recovered from bronchitis and was replaced today by another religious figure in the catechesis readings during the general audience.
"Now, I allow myself to ask the priest to read. With my bronchitis, I still can't. I hope I can next time," said the Pope after reading a few lines of his catechesis.
However, he spoke again at the end of the audience to greet the Italian pilgrims and once again ask for prayers for peace in the world.
A week ago, during the general audience, the Pope asked an assistant to read the catechesis, saying that he had a "bad cold" that made it difficult for him to speak.
The next day, the Vatican announced that Francis would hold the audiences scheduled for the next two days at home due to bronchitis.
The Argentine pontiff, elected pope in 2013, has had several health problems in recent years: pain in his knees and hips, inflammation in his colon, hernia surgery.
Francisco, whose lung was removed when he was young, was hospitalized for three nights in 2023 with bronchitis, which he treated with antibiotics.
