The Pope Cancels Another Event, A Third In This Month, Sparking Health Concerns While Vatican Says Otherwise

The Pope doesn’t appear well. He has just canceled another visit, a third this month. The 77-year old religious leader to the Christian community around the globe has significantly scaled-back his public visits & appearances, citing reasons of fatigue.

Due to an “unexpected indisposition,” 77-year- old Pope Francis canceled his third event so far this month. He was due to visit a Rome hospital on Friday. Francis had been due to visit the Gemelli hospital to celebrate a Mass there Friday afternoon. However, an hour after he was due to arrive, the Vatican issued a simple statement saying the Pope has had to cancel the visit due to an “unexpected indisposition,” reported US News.

Though the Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi later confirmed that “there were no concerns for his health,” and his holiness’ appointments for the weekend will continue as planned, all the signs point out to Pope’s failing health.

It’s no secret that the Argentine-born pontiff has only one full lung and suffers from a bad back. This makes walking extremely cumbersome and painful. Despite being a lot younger than his predecessor Benedict XVI, Pope Francis has routinely suffered from some from of illness, though minor, in the last few months.

Interestingly, Pope Francis has proven to be one of the most liberal and popular of the Popes so far. He has been visiting a lot many places and interacting with far greater number of communities that his orthodox predecessors would never have dreamt of doing. Perhaps such extensive exercises might have taken a toll on his health as the Pope isn’t immune to common infections he might have been exposed to during his numerous trips, some to questionable places.

Earlier this month, Pope Francis canceled two days of audiences reportedly due to a stomach bug. Thereafter, he chose not to walk a mile-long procession last week. The Vatican later confirmed he wanted to rest and conserve his strength for the grueling trip to southern Italy.

Despite his weakness and poor health condition, Pope Francis held up remarkably well during the sweltering 12-hour trip to Calabria. He even managed to step out his car, in the middle of the road, to bless a sick young man who was wheeled up to his motorcade on a stretcher, reported The Inquirer.

Though Pope Francis is one of the most open-minded, his health might not be supporting him in his endeavors. However, his weekend is still jam-packed with audiences on Saturday and a major Mass on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square. Can he afford to cancel another event?

[Image Credit |NY Daily News, U Catholic]