Vatican City, 24 February, 2024 / 8:05 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis canceled his public appearances on Saturday due to a mild flu, the Vatican has said.
The Holy See Press Office released a short statement announcing the cancellation on Saturday morning without further details.
“Due to a mild flu-like condition, as a precautionary measure, the pope has canceled the audiences scheduled for today,” the Feb. 24 statement said.
The cancellation comes after Pope Francis concluded a five-day Lenten retreat at his Vatican residence in which all of his regular activities were suspended from the afternoon of Feb. 18 to Feb. 23.
The 87-year-old pope has slowed down his schedule with less international travel since he underwent abdominal surgery last June to repair an incisional hernia. Francis canceled a trip to Dubai in December after his doctors advised him not to travel because of a bronchial infection.
