The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 11, 2025
Today: April 11, 2025

Pope asks aide to deliver his annual foreign policy address, tells ambassadors he's battling a cold

Vatican Pope
January 09, 2025
AP - AP

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis told ambassadors accredited to the Holy See on Thursday that he wasn’t up to delivering his annual foreign policy speech and asked an aide to deliver it instead.

A congested-sounding Francis began the speech, greeting the ambassadors gathered in the Hall of Blessings.

But just a few lines into the lengthy speech, which usually recaps highlights of the past year, the 88-year-old Francis said he was still battling a cold and handed the remarks over to an aide.

Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, often suffers bouts of bronchitis in winter that leave him out of breath and make it difficult to speak at length. He has just emerged from a grueling Christmas period in which he inaugurated the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations.

He has sounded congested in recent days but has nevertheless kept up with his typically busy schedule.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Related Articles

Pope's weekly audiences to be translated into Mandarin from December Vatican to install a webcam at St. Peter's tomb as part technological outreach for Holy Year Pope Francis to visit French island of Corsica on Dec. 15 Pope Francis, avoiding pomp, asks to be buried in simple wooden casket
Share This

Popular

Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|Political

Spain’s prime minister visits China to strengthen ties with Trump's top tariff target

Spain’s prime minister visits China to strengthen ties with Trump's top tariff target
Business|Economy|Europe|Political|US

The Latest: Supreme Court tells Trump administration to facilitate return of mistakenly deported man

The Latest: Supreme Court tells Trump administration to facilitate return of mistakenly deported man
Celebrity|Europe|Health|Sports|World

Prince Harry meets war victims in Ukraine

Prince Harry meets war victims in Ukraine
Europe|MidEast|Political|US|World

Europeans sidelined in US-Iran nuclear talks despite holding key card

Europeans sidelined in US-Iran nuclear talks despite holding key card

Political

Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|Political

Spain’s prime minister visits China to strengthen ties with Trump's top tariff target

Spain’s prime minister visits China to strengthen ties with Trump's top tariff target
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Political

China, Japan, S.Korea central bank deputies discussed US tariffs

China, Japan, S.Korea central bank deputies discussed US tariffs
Asia|Economy|Finance|Political|Stock Markets|US

Stocks, dollar sink, bonds pummelled again as trade war roils markets

Stocks, dollar sink, bonds pummelled again as trade war roils markets
Asia|Political|World

China's Xi to visit Southeast Asia as trade conflict with U.S. widens

China's Xi to visit Southeast Asia as trade conflict with U.S. widens

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In