The Vatican on Saturday confirmed that Pope Francis has a fever that caused him to clear his schedule on Friday, 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 details.
It was unclear who the pope had been expected to meet with, as his agenda was not made public, as is customary, on Friday.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that in late March, Francis was admitted to hospital in Rome, where he remained for three nights, after having difficulties breathing.
Doctors determined the respiratory infection was bronchitis, and treated him with antibiotics to which he responded quickly.
Francis increasing health issues over the past year have sparked widespread concern, including speculation that he might choose to retire rather than stay in the job for life, a choice made by his predecessor Benedict XVI.
The German theologian died on December 31 aged 95, almost a decade after stepping down.
In an interview with US Spanish-language network Telemundo broadcast on Thursday, Francis said his health was “much better”.
‘I can walk now. My knee has been mending. I could hardly walk beforehand, now I can. Some days are more painful than others, like today,’ the pope said, according to a transcript of the interview.
When quizzed about his bronchitis, he said doctors caught it just in time.
Recall that Francis a fortnight ago had called for dialogue between fighting military factions in Sudan as a bloody outbreak of fighting entered a second week.
‘Unfortunately the situation remains grave in Sudan.
‘That is why I am renewing my call for the violence to stop as quickly as possible and for dialogue to resume,” the pontiff said during traditional Sunday prayers in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome.
‘I invite everyone to pray for our Sudanese brothers and sisters,’ he added.
France, Italy, Turkey and the United States are all evacuating citizens from Sudan.