Pope Francis cancels engagements due to mild flu symptoms, Vatican says

26 February 2024, 09:34

Pope Francis carried out a traditional Sunday noon blessing
APTOPIX Vatican Pope. Picture: PA

Francis was well enough on Sunday to celebrate his weekly Angelus prayer from the Vatican window overlooking St Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis has cancelled his engagements for Monday morning due to persistent but mild flu symptoms, the Vatican press office said in a short statement, adding that the pontiff did not have a fever.

The statement indicated the decision was taken as a precautionary measure.

Francis was well enough on Sunday to celebrate his weekly Angelus prayer from the Vatican window overlooking St Peter’s Square, a day after cancelling a public audience because of a mild flu-like condition.

Pope Francis
Francis had to cancel some activities and one international trip due to his fragile health in the past few months (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

The Vatican calendar has no public audiences scheduled for the Pope on Monday morning, but he may have had other private engagements.

On Saturday, in another brief announcement, the Vatican press office said the 87-year-old pontiff was forced to scrap a planned audience with Roman deacons as a precaution due to a “mild, flu-like condition”.

Over the past few months, Francis had to cancel some activities and one international trip due to his fragile health.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Donald Trump gestures during a campaign event at Central Wisconsin Airport

Trump appeals to voters in Wisconsin stronghold ahead of debate with Harris

Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune

Algerian President expected to win second term in office

Demonstrators take part in a protest calling for the impeachment of Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes

Bolsonaro supporters in ‘free speech’ rally following Brazil’s X ban

Smoking wreckage of the school fire

21 children now known to have died in Kenya school fire

A mother cries near the coffin of her son killed in a Russian rocket attack at a Ukrainian military academy

Ukraine mourns dead from major Russian strike

A man rides motorcycle in the rain

Four people killed as Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam

A demonstrator holds a placard which reads ‘Macron treason resignation’ during a protest

Protesters rally in France against Barnier’s appointment as prime minister

Papua New Guinea Pope

Pope urges end to decades of Papua New Guinea tribal conflict

Ukrainian air defence intercepts a Shahed drone mid-air

Ukraine destroys scores of Russian drones as long-range attacks continue

A Palestinian flag flying near the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 12 as health workers continue vaccinations

An ambulance at the Hillside Endarasha Primary school in Kenya

Dozens of boys still missing after Kenya school dormitory fire

Ravine with river Torrent de Pareis, Sa Calobra, Majorca

Body found in search for second British hiker on Spanish island of Majorca

Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune delivering a speech on stage with his image on a large backdrop

Algeria’s president expected to win second term as voters go to polls

The empty Boeing Starliner capsule sits at White Sands Missile Range

Boeing’s troubled space capsule lands on Earth without astronauts

MI6 and CIA chiefs warn Russia is waging 'reckless campaign of sabotage across Europe'

Spy chiefs claim the world is 'under threat in a way we haven't seen since the Cold War'

The debris at the site where an airplane crashed

Cockpit recording indicates de-icing problems in Brazil plane crash