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The pope has caught a cold and will skip his usual Sunday outdoor prayer, instead giving an indoor blessing just days before Christmas Eve and daily Masses, the Vatican said Saturday.
The cold weather and the Pope’s busy schedule during Christmas week were cited as reasons why the 88-year-old gave the blessing from his residence in the Vatican’s St. Martha’s Chapel.
The Pope usually addresses the public on Sundays from the window of St. Peter’s Basilica overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
BIDEN IS GOING TO THE VATICAN NEXT MONTH TO MEET POPE FRANCIS, MELONI ON LAST OVERSEAS JOURNEY
On Saturday, Pope Francis exchanges seasonal greetings with Vatican employees. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis he sounded choked Saturday as he delivered his annual Christmas greeting to Vatican bureaucrats.
The eight-year-old has suffered from bronchitis before, including last year when he was hospitalized, and missed last year’s climate change summit in Dubai due to flu and pneumonia.
The pope has caught a cold and will skip his usual Sunday outdoor prayer, instead giving an indoor blessing just days before Christmas Eve and daily Masses, the Vatican said Saturday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
POPE FRANCIS REVEALS HE WAS ALMOST KILLED DURING HISTORIC TRIP TO IRAQ
Pope contracted pleurisy in his 20s and was forced to remove part of his lung in native Argentina.
The Pope usually addresses the public on Sundays from the window of St. Peter’s Basilica overlooking St. Peter’s Square. (Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Christmas Eve also marks the start of the Vatican’s Holy Year, in which around 32 million pilgrims are expected to make their way to Rome during 2025.
The Pope will open the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, and on December 26 he will go to Rome’s main prison to inaugurate the beginning of the Holy Year there.
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The holy year, also known as the Jubilee, it usually takes place every 25 years.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
