Vatican cancels pope's weekend engagements as he battles 'complex' infection
2/18/2025 1:52:30 PM
Pope Francis, who is spending his fifth day in hospital for what doctors described as a "complex" respiratory infection, will not take part in this weekend's Holy Year events, the Vatican said on Tuesday.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14.
A public papal audience set for this Saturday has been cancelled "due to the health condition of the Holy Father", the Vatican said in a brief statement.
A papal Mass scheduled for Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica will take place but will be led by a senior Vatican official, it added.
The 2025 Catholic Holy Year, also known as a Jubilee, runs through to early next year. It is a special time of pardon and forgiveness for Catholics and the Vatican expects 32 million tourists to visit Rome throughout the year, including for a range of special audiences with Francis.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14.
A public papal audience set for this Saturday has been cancelled "due to the health condition of the Holy Father", the Vatican said in a brief statement.
A papal Mass scheduled for Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica will take place but will be led by a senior Vatican official, it added.
The 2025 Catholic Holy Year, also known as a Jubilee, runs through to early next year. It is a special time of pardon and forgiveness for Catholics and the Vatican expects 32 million tourists to visit Rome throughout the year, including for a range of special audiences with Francis.