Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced that changes have been made to the papal pilgrimage schedule. Francis’ trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, which were due to take place in early July, have been postponed. Such a decision had to be made taking into account the recommendations of doctors.
Doctors wanted to prevent a scenario in which the pope strains his knee during pilgrimages, thereby undermining the effects of the therapy he is currently undergoing. In the second half of July, the pope must visit Canada according to the current schedule. In September, in turn, he will go to Kazakhstan.
Pope Francis abdicates?
This is not the first mention of the pope’s health problems. In early May, Francis appeared for the first time in a wheelchair. Previously, he had to cancel several scheduled meetings due to travel difficulties. As The Guardian points out, Vatican officials aren’t revealing exactly what’s bothering the Pope.
For some time there has been speculation that the pope Francis can follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Benedict XVI and abdicate. Rumors about this were also fueled by one of the messages from the Holy See. It was announced that in mid-August, Francis would travel to the town of L’Aquilla, Italy, where he was to participate in the “Festival of Forgiveness”. The tomb of Pope Celestine V, who abdicated in the 13th century, is located in the local basilica.
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