Pope Francis has a fever that caused him to clear his schedule on Friday morning, the Vatican said, nearly two months after the 86-year-old pontiff was hospitalised with bronchitis.
“Due to a feverish state, Pope Francis did not receive an audience this morning,” said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, without giving more details.
It was unclear who the pope had been expected to meet with, as his agenda was not made public on Friday, as is customary.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin blamed the pontiff’s busy schedule, saying he was tired.
“The pope was tired, yesterday he had a very busy day, he saw a lot of people .. he wanted to say hello to them all,” said Parolin, according to Italian news agencies.
“And probably at a certain point the resistence breaks down.”
Francis had eight meetings Thursday, according to his published schedule.
The pope’s morning audiences are usually reserved for heads of states, associations and clerics, while his afternoons are devoted to work and private meetings.
Next on Francis’ schedule is Sunday’s mass at St Peter’s Basilica to celebrate Pentecost, followed by the traditional Regina Coeli prayer.
On Monday, he is scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Francis, who has been the leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics for a decade, has suffered increasing health issues over the past year, from persistent pain in his right knee to sciatica to his recent hospital stay for bronchitis.
The episodes have sparked widespread concern and fuelled speculation that he might choose to retire rather than stay in the job for life, a choice made by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
In late March, Francis was admitted to hospital in Rome after having breathing difficulties, and stayed for three nights.
He was treated with antibiotics for bronchitis.
As he left the Gemelli Hospital on April 1, the pope smiled and joked with well-wishers, quipping: “I am still alive!”
He went on to participate in Holy Week and Easter services, the most important week in the Christian calendar.
Marie de La Roche Saint-André, with AFP
