Pope Francis said this Thursday (30) that he has acute infectious bronchitis and asked for prayers.
The Pontiff said he is suffering from an acute form of bronchitis, which prevented him from traveling to COP28 in Dubai this weekend, as determined by his doctor.
Still, Francis, who will turn 87 in December, asked COP28 delegates to “focus on the common good and the future of their children, and not on the particular interests of certain countries or companies.”
The pope has had a series of health problems in recent years that have involved hospital admissions, the latest in June.
Despite his bronchitis, he continues to work and hold meetings with authorities.
“As you can see, I am still alive,” said Francis during an audience with people who were in Rome to participate in a seminar on health and ethics.
“The doctor didn’t let me go to Dubai. The reason is that it is very hot there, and you go from heat to air conditioning, and [isso não é bom] in this situation of bronchitis. Thank God it wasn’t pneumonia. It’s very acute and infectious bronchitis,” he explained.
The pope highlighted that he did not have a fever, but was taking antibiotics, confirming what the Vatican reported in a statement on Wednesday (29).
During another audience this Thursday with theologians, the pope declared: “Pray for me. Pray for me, not against me, because this work is not easy. Thanks”.
COP28 started this Thursday. The Pontiff was scheduled to arrive in Dubai this Friday (1st) to give a speech and hold bilateral meetings, leaving on Sunday (3).
Francis, who has made protecting the environment one of the hallmarks of his papacy, hoped to use the occasion to renew his calls for action against global warming.
Writing on social media platform X on Thursday, the pope urged COP28 delegates to focus on the common good, adding: “May they demonstrate the nobility of politics and not its shame.”
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second-in-command, told reporters on Wednesday that he hoped to lead the Holy See delegation in the climate talks.
Source: CNN Brasil
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