Pope Francis, who recently turned 88, will lead the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from his residence at the Vatican’s Santa Marta quarters rather than from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced on Saturday. This precautionary measure comes as the Pope is battling a severe cold, exacerbated by the cold weather in Rome.
The Vatican’s statement confirmed that the decision was made in light of the pope’s ongoing health concerns and his busy schedule ahead of the Christmas week. Despite his symptoms, Pope Francis, who has served as pope since 2013, was well enough earlier on Saturday to deliver his annual Christmas address to cardinals.
The Pope, who has faced several health challenges in recent years, including a partial lung removal due to pleurisy in his youth and recurrent bouts of flu, is preparing for a particularly demanding week. In addition to the regular Christmas services, he is set to mark the beginning of the Holy Year or Jubilee on Christmas Eve, December 24.
This Holy Year will be significant as it is only the extraordinary Jubilee, which occurs every 25 years, with millions of pilgrims expected to visit Rome for the special occasion. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis is scheduled to open the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, symbolizing salvation and marking the commencement of the Jubilee year.
As he recovers from this cold, Pope Francis’s health remains a point of concern for many, especially considering his busy upcoming duties. Last year, he also had to lead the Angelus prayer from Santa Marta due to recovering from a flu episode. His recent illness, though less severe than previous health scares, highlights the physical toll of his papacy, especially as he faces the demands of this festive season.
