Francis: Pope cancels Advent sermon

Pope Francis has canceled his participation in an Advent sermon that had been planned for a long time, apparently because of a cold. At an audience in the Vatican, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church complained: “I’m very cold.” Francis then attended the audience and another appointment. According to a report by the Italian news agency Ansa, he appeared short of breath and had some difficulty speaking.

Francis, who only celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, has been suffering from health problems for a long time and has already had operations. When he makes public appearances, he usually sits in a wheelchair. In recent winters he has caught several colds. A few days ago he suffered a bruise on his chin – according to the Vatican, from hitting himself on the bedside table in the morning.

Tight program on Christmas days

A busy program awaits the head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, Francis doesn’t just hold the big Christmas mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. With the opening of the Holy Door there, the Holy Year 2025 begins. Such jubilee years only occur every 25 years. On Christmas Day, the Pope gives the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing. He wasn’t supposed to give the Advent sermon on Friday himself.

Born in Argentina, he is the successor to the German Pope Benedict XVI. in office since 2013. At 88, Francis is older than almost any pope before him. Only Pope Leo XIII. According to Vatican records, the Italian died in 1903 at the age of 93. Francis’ predecessor, whose real name was Joseph Ratzinger, was 95, but had already resigned nine years before his death on New Year’s Eve 2022.