WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTONS, POPE FRANCIS AGAIN CANCELS AUDIENCES

WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTONS, POPE FRANCIS AGAIN CANCELS AUDIENCES

As everyone knows, Pope Francis and ranking members of the Roman Curia were all on individual, private Lenten reteats last week, starting Sunday afternoon and ending Friday afternoon.  Saturday morning, however, the Vatican announced that, due to a mild flu condition, as a precutionary measure Pope Francis canceled the day’s audiences. Happily, he had a quick recovery because Sunday he appeared at his study window to greet and pray the Angelus with the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.

However again, at 9 this morning, the Holy See Press Office communicated that, “due to persistant flu-like symptons, but no fever, Pope Francis, as a precaution has cancelled his Monday appointments.”

Yesterday was the first time in a week that we saw or heard from Pope Francis.  We only know that last week he was on retreat, a week about which we have no details. How did the Pope spend his time? Did someone come in and share thoughts with him or preach to him?

Importantly, we do not know if perhaps he was already feeling unwell during the week of spiritual exercises. If indeed, he was not 100 perccnt all or part of the time, that would be a telling sign.

A second communique today from the press office noted that the Wednesday general audience on February 28 is scheduled to take place from 9 am to 10 am.

In any case. we continue to wish the Holy Father well and pray for him!

VATICAN INSIDER: YEAR ROUND NATIVITY SCENES IN ITALY – POPE HANDS SPEECH TO UNIVERSITY GROUP, SAYS HE IS “A LITTLE SHORT OF BREATH”

VATICAN INSIDER: YEAR ROUND NATIVITY SCENES IN ITALY

Tune in this weekend to Vatican Insider not only for a Vatican news roundup but to listen to a Special I have prepared in lieu of an interview!

For many in Italy – institutions, churches, businesses and families – the Christmas season lasts up to and including the February 2 feast of the Presentation. For decades under Popes John Paul and Benedict XVI, the Christmas tree and nativity scene stayed up in St. Peter’s Square until that date, as did many of the presepe in various Vatican offices, in the Paul VI Hall and places like the Vatican post office, bringing the Christmas spirit of joy to countless people.

So, in that prolonged Christmas season and spirit of joy, this week I bring you a special on some extraordinary nativity scenes that you can actually see all year round in Italy. Gather the children around, the young and young at heart, as you listen to this special.

Here’s a clue to one spot! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG83Ra-oH3I

IN THE UNITED STATES, you can listen to Vatican Insider (VI) on a Catholic radio station near you (stations listed at www.ewtn.com) or on channel 130 Sirius-XM satellite radio, or on http://www.ewtn.com. OUTSIDE THE U.S., you can listen to EWTN radio on our website home page by clicking on the right side where you see “LISTEN TO EWTN.” VI airs at 5am and 9pm ET on Saturdays and 6am ET on Sundays. On the GB-IE feed (which is on SKY in the UK and Ireland), VI airs at 5:30am, 12 noon and 10pm CET on Sundays. Both of these feeds are also available on the EWTN app and on www.ewtnradio.net ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWN TIME ZONE! For VI archives: go to https://www.ewtn.com/radio/audio-archive and write the name of the guest for whom you are serarching in the SEARCH box. Below that, will appear “Vatican Insider” – click on that and the link to that particular episode will appear.

POPE HANDS SPEECH TO UNIVERSITY GROUP, SAYS HE IS “A LITTLE SHORT OF BREATH”

In today’s issue of  Starting Seven, The Pillar’s daily newsletter, Luke Coppen quotes a story reported by Agensir about a papal audience today with a university group in which Pope Francis talks about “shortness of breath.” Agensir (Religious Information Service) was founded in 1988 on the initiative of the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies and with the support of the CEI (Italian Episcopal Conference).

Vatican news photo

In Starting Seven, Coppen wrote: During a Jan. 19 audience with Catholic university representatives, Pope Francis said that he was “a bit short of breath” and unable to “deliver a lengthy address” (agensir.it).

Following are the Pope’s words via a Google-aided translation from the Italian:

“I have a long speech to read, but I’m breathing a little hard; you see, still this cold that won’t go away! I take the liberty of delivering the text to you for your reading. And thank you, thank you very much.” The Pope said this off the cuff at the beginning of the audience granted to a delegation of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (FIUC), on the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of its foundation.

Agensir’s report on the papal remarks continues: “I would like to thank you for this meeting, for the good that the universities, our Catholic universities, do,” Francis continued off the cuff, before delivering the speech prepared for the occasion: “sowing science, the Word of God and ‘true humanism. Thank you so much. And don’t get tired of moving forward: always forward, with the beautiful mission of Catholic universities. It is not confessionality that gives them identity: it is one aspect, but not the only one; it is perhaps that clear humanism, that humanism that makes us understand that man has values ​​and that they must be respected: this is perhaps the most beautiful and greatest thing about your universities. Thank you very much.”

POPE GREETS EUROPEAN RABBIS, SAYS HE IS NOT FEELING WELL

Pope Francis had a very busy schedule of appointments this morning, including an apostolic nuncio, two new ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credence, a delegation from the Laudato Si Movement, the president of the government of Catalonia, a delegation from the  Conference of European Rabbis, and a group from the Little House of Mercy in Caltanissetta, Italy.

This afternoon he is meeting with children from five continents in the Paul VI Hall.  He had announced this event at the Angelus on October 1, saying, “It is an event to show the dream we all have: to go back to having the pure sentiments of children because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.”

Although Francis told the Rabbis he was not feeling well, all the other morning events went on as planned, with the Pope delivering his talks.

POPE GREETS EUROPEAN RABBIS, SAYS HE IS NOT FEELING WELL

According to Corriere della Sera news, “the Holy Father handed his talk to the Rabbis, saying he did not feel well:  ‘Good morning, I greet you all and welcome you. Thank you for this visit which I like very much but it happens that I am not in good health and for this reason I prefer not to read the speech but to give it to you and for you to bring it.’ Thus, Pope Francis, receiving the delegation of European Rabbis in an audience in the Vatican. The Pontiff did not read the speech he should have given: he delivered it speaking in a very tired voice about his health problems without continuing further.”

Aleteia reported that “in an audience with a delegation from the Conference of European Rabbis on November 6, 2023, Pope Francis said he was not “feeling well” and would thus not read the speech he had prepared for the occasion. The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, said the Pope “has a bit of a cold” and wanted to “greet the European rabbis individually.” The other audiences on the Pope’s agenda will continue as normal.

The Pope spoke “in a hoarse voice, as could be heard from the audio being broadcasted live in the Holy See Press Office,” although, according to one reporter, that audio was turned off at one point.

Vatican News did (see following story) only reported that the Pope handed his talk over to the European rabbis, with no mention of a cold or health problems.

Pope to European Rabbis: Dialogue is key to peace

Meeting a delegation of the Conference of European Rabbis, Pope Francis highlighted the crucial importance of Jewish-Christian dialogue in bringing about peace and justice in the Holy Land, and condemns resurgent anti-Semitism in various parts of the world.

“Not weapons, not terrorism, not war, but compassion, justice and dialogue are the fitting means for building peace.”

With these words Pope Francis reiterated on Monday his impassioned plea for peace in the Holy Land. Addressing a delegation of Conference of European Rabbis in the Vatican, the Pope focused on the ongoing war in the region.
Concern and condemnation of resurgent antisemitism

In his prepared remarks, which he handed to the delegation, he also expressed his concern for the spread of anti-Semitic demonstrations in the world as a result of the conflict, which, he said, he “strongly” condemns.

The Pope underscored that in this time of violence and destruction, “believers are called to build fraternity and open paths of reconciliation for all and before all, in the name of the Almighty.”

TO CONTINUE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-to-european-rabbis-dialogue-is-key-to-peace.html

POPE SAYS BREATHING “STILL NOT GOOD” – POPE SENDS CARDINAL KRAJEWSKI TO UKRAINE FOR 6TH TIME – SR. LUCIA, FATIMA VISIONARY, DECLARED VENERABLE – VATICAN DELIVERS EVIDENCE IN ORLANDI CASE TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES

A fascinating read and good summary of the synod document: Synod working doc aims to unite Catholics, but may alienate conservatives | Crux (cruxnow.com)

Re: the story below on the pope having difficulty breathing: Vatican News mentioned this in several news stories it published today, including one on the Holy Father’s meeting with ROACO: “Receiving ROACO members in the Vatican on the morning of Thursday, 22 June, Pope Francis handed them his prepared remarks and explained he would not be reading his discourse because he is still having difficulty breathing after the general anaesthesia he underwent during surgery on 7 June.”

POPE SAYS BREATHING “STILL NOT GOOD”

Gives one speech today, but hands out the text for a 2nd one

(I. Media for Aleteia) – Pope Francis says he is still suffering from the effects of his recent anaesthesia. He reported this when receiving members of the meeting of the Works of Aid to the Oriental Churches (ROACO), on June 22, 2023 at the Vatican, I.MEDIA found. Two weeks after his operation for an abdominal hernia with risk of occlusion, the Pope explained that his breathing was “not good.”

Since his return on June 16 from the Gemelli hospital, where he underwent surgery on June 7, the 86-year-old Pontiff has resumed the Sunday Angelus, as well as his audiences. Yesterday, June 21, he received the Brazilian president, and on June 20, the Cuban president. However, the general audience on Wednesday June 21 was cancelled ahead of time, to allow him to continue his convalescence.

But this morning, the Pope showed signs of fatigue. After a first speech, which he read to Assumptionist religious, he declined a second address to ROACO, contenting himself with handing it over to the participants. “I’m still under the effects of anesthesia. My breathing is not good,” confided the Argentine Pontiff.

During this brief exchange, the 266th Pope then instructed Msgr. Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, to pass on his pre-prepared speech.

“I’m still alive,” he added, however, to a participant who asked how he was doing.

The Pope, who has been missing part of one lung since he had a serious infection as a youth, has already had respiratory problems this year. On March 29, he was rushed to Gemelli, where doctors diagnosed him with “infectious bronchitis.” He underwent antibiotic treatment and left hospital on April 1.

He later confided that it was acute pneumonia. “If we had waited a few more hours, it would have been more serious,” he told Mexican television.

POPE SENDS CARDINAL KRAJEWSKI TO UKRAINE FOR 6^TH TIME

A communique from the papal almoner’s office says Pope Francis is sending Cardinal Konrad Krajewski to Ukraine for the 6^th time, bearing urgent medical supplies and prayers from the Holy Father. This mission is evangelical and underlines the closeness of Pope Francis to the tormented Ukraine.

The cardinal “will head to the Kherson area where, following the destruction of the dam, the innocent population is in great difficulty and many people have lost their lives. His mission is to be with the people, pray with them and bring an embrace and concrete support from the Pope.

Vatican photo –

“The Almoner will travel to Ukraine with a car loaded with the most urgent medicines and thus have the opportunity to visit, along the way, various religious communities, the Catholic parishes of the Byzantine and Latin rites as well as the Orthodox.

“In these days, there will also be a second truck full of food (mostly received from Korea), medicines and health aids which will be delivered to the areas most affected by the dam explosion.”

SR. LUCIA, FATIMA VISIONARY, DECLARED VENERABLE

Carmelite Sister Lucia de Jesus Rosa dos Santos, who, along with her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto witnessed a series of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima, has been declared Venerable by the Church.

Sr. Lucia (R) –

The decree recognizing Sr Lucia’s heroic virtues was promulgated on Thursday with the approval of Pope Francis.

In 1916, Lucia and her two cousins reported being visited by an Angel in the area of Fatima, Portugal. The following year, beginning on May 13, the children claimed to receive a series of apparitions from the Blessed Virgin Mary, which culminated six months later with the famous “Miracle of the Sun” that was witnessed by tens of thousands of people.

After the untimely death of her cousins, who died a few years later due to Spanish flu, Sister Lucia remained the sole custodian of the message entrusted to her by Our Lady, which she transcribed, at the instigation of the Bishop of Leiria, José Alves Correia da Silvia, into four documents between 1935 and 1941.

A later document, dated 1944, contained the so-called “third secret,” was sent to Rome and opened for the first time in 1960. St John Paul II, who had a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, allowed the secret to be published in 2000.

Along with Sister Lucia, four other Servants of God saw their causes advanced on Thursday. Thursday’s decree also recognises the martyrdom of twenty people killed out of “hatred of the faith” in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.

Sister Mary Lange, who left her native Cuba for the United States because of racial discrimination, founded the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore in 1829. The order is dedicated to school education.

For full story: Fatima visionary Sr Lucia declared Venerable – Vatican News

VATICAN DELIVERS EVIDENCE IN ORLANDI CASE TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES

In a statement to journalists, the Office of the Promoter of Justice says evidence found in Vatican institutions and gained from interviews with former officials has been turned over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rome.

Vatican News

On the 40th anniversary of the disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi on June 22, 1983, the Promoter of Justice of Vatican City State, Alessandro Diddi, has stated that he has forwarded the acts of his office’s investigation to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rome.

In a statement made public by the Holy See Press Office in response to journalists’ questions, Diddi’s office reports that “in recent months this office has collected all the evidence available in the various institutions of the Vatican and the Holy See, while also seeking evidence through conversations with the persons in charge of certain offices at the time of the events.”

Lines of further investigation

Vatican investigators proceeded “to examine the material, confirming certain lines of investigation worthy of further investigation,” the statement continues, noting that “in recent weeks” all the relevant documentation has been transmitted “to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rome, so that the latter may examine it and proceed in the direction it deems most appropriate.”

Thursday’s statement concludes with the commitment that the Promoter “will continue his activities in this direction in the coming months,” while expressing his closeness to Emanuela’s family in their grief, “aware of the suffering one feels for the disappearance of a relative.”

 

POPE EMERITUS RESTING WELL, IS LUCID AND ALERT

POPE EMERITUS RESTING WELL, IS LUCID AND VIGILANT

Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni, in early afternoon, issued the following statement, answering questions from journalists about the condition of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI: “The pope emeritus was able to rest well last night. He is absolutely lucid and alert and today, notwithstanding the gravity of his condition, the situation at the moment is stable. Pope Francis renews his invitation to pray for him and to accompany him in these difficult hours.”

POPE FRANCIS APPOINTS A “PERSONAL HEALTH ASSISTANT” – JESUIT JOURNAL PUBLISHES CONVERSATION BETWEEN POPE AND FELLOW JESUITS IN CANADA

POPE FRANCIS APPOINTS A “PERSONAL HEALTH ASSISTANT”

There was a very interesting one-sentence announcement from the Vatican press office today: “The Holy Father has named Massimiliano Strapetti, nurse coordinator of the Vatican’s Health and Hygiene Department (direzione) as his personal health assistant.”

No further explanation or clarification was provided by the press office or any other source.

What can this mean?

The Vatican – Vatican City – has a health and hygiene center and a remarkable and well-stocked pharmacy with a sizeable staff of pharmacists. To become a pharmacist in Italy requires 5 years of intense studies and then passing a very demanding, rigorous exam.

The Vatican health center is for current employees of Vatican City State and the Roman Curia, as well as for retirees. There is a main administrative office and the center is staffed by dozens of physicians of all specialities, as well as the generic “family doctor.” Doctors usually work here two half days a week, in either morning or afternoon sessions. However, all have their own private studios or offices and many are on full time staff at some of Rome’s hospitals.

There are facilities for x-rays and for Doppler and other exams, though the center is not equipped like a full-fledged hospital. There is no “pronto soccorso” or emergency service, such as would be needed for victims of a serious accident, although it was here that Pope John Paul II was brought immediately after being shot on May 13, 1981, attested to by a floor plaque in the main building entrance.

There is, however, a “guardia medica” on duty from 7am to 8pm. This is a kind of emergency medical office, staffed by 3 or 4 doctors, for issues that are usually minor or for patients who have health questions. If a diagnosis is serious and a person needs to be hospitalized, there is a specific office for that at the health center.

Medical personnel is always available for events in the Paul VI Hall, Vatican Museums, the basilica and St. Peter’s Square.

This may be more information than you need but I want to point out that medical care at the Vatican is quite comprehensive.

Although I do not know for certain, I would hazard a guess that even at 3am, for example, a doctor is on call somewhere.

Certainly for the Holy Father, should such a need arise. And/or for cardinals residing in Vatican City.

Popes have always had their own personal physicians. We probably knew more about Pope John Paul’s doctors than any other pontiff in history. Many of us who have covered the Vatican for years can remember, without looking them up, the names of the doctors who took care of him in 1981.

A physician has always accompanied the popes on apostolic journeys, be they short or long.

Years ago, a friend who was a flight attendant told me a fascinating story when we met for dinner on her overnight stay.

Suzanne was shopping on Rome’s celebrated Via Condotti and wanted to buy an upscale purse. A flight attendant colleague had recommended a leather shop near Via Condotti, so she went to the address provided, walked up for the second floor and found what she called “the most fascinating and beautiful leather shop” in Italy!

The owner became a professor of leather as he showed Suzanne around and explained how purses, suitcases, jewelry boxes, etc. were made. During their conversation he showed her a beautiful piece of workmanship, explaining that it had been ordered by the Vatican for the doctor who travelled with popes! He had just finished it and was about to deliver it.

Suzanne told me it had numerous compartments for whatever a physician might need to put inside. She said every aspect of the physician’s bag was beyond perfect craftsmanship, adding, “it will probably last 100 years.”

I return to the original question: What does it mean that the pope chose a “personal health assistant”?

It is clear from the announcement that Strappeti is a nurse. He will obviously now be working more closely with the papal doctor, Roberto Bernabei.

By the way, Pope Francis has said of Strappeti “he saved my life” as it was Strappeti who, last summer, persuaded the Pope to have colon surgery.

Why did the Pope deem it necessary to have a personal health assistant? Is Strappeti needed for the daily therapy that Pope Francis is undergoing for his ongoing knee issue? Tomorrow, August 5, marks 3 months that we have seen the pope use a wheel chair.

Or is there an underlying health issue with the Holy Father that we know nothing about that Strappetti is to oversee?

I do not like speculation but we know nothing more than what we were told today.

Pope Francis often ends encounters with individuals or groups the same way he ends the Angelus on Sundays, asking people to pray for him.

And that we will do, Holy Father!

JESUIT JOURNAL PUBLISHES CONVERSATION BETWEEN POPE AND FELLOW JESUITS IN CANADA

On Thursday, the Jesuit review La Civilta Cattolica published the exchange between the Jesuit Pope and his fellow Jesuits that took place in the archbishop’s residence in Québec City on the last day of his penitential pilgrimage to Canada. Francis touches on synodality, concern for Haiti, the Church’s love for families, and liturgy as ‘the people of God’s public praise!’

The full text of the conversation, written and published by Fr. Antonio Spadaro, the Editor-in-Chief of La Civiltà Cattolica, can be read here. (vaticannews)

 

ST. PETER’S CHAPEL AND THE U.S. NAVY – IN BRIEF

ST. PETER’S CHAPEL AND THE U.S. NAVY

Several years ago I signed up for daily emails from Atlas Obscura and they are almost always the most interesting of all the emails I receive. I love learning about new things and places and people and tidbits of history. I love reading about places I’ve never visited, where to find the incorrupt bodies of saints in Rome, the history of food (sometime with recipes 2,000 years old!), facts about the world below the sea, the world above us and all places in between. The new and unusual – trivia but not trivial! As Atlas Obscura describes itself: hidden places, incredible history, scientific marvels, and gastronomical wonders on a globe-trotting journey.

Tomorrow is the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, patron saints of the Eternal City, a big holiday in Rome and the Vatican. Whether Atlas Obscura planned this or not, here’s a story about a chapel dedicated to St. Peter from today’s email:

BUILT IN 1901, ST. PETER’S Chapel is the oldest Naval chapel in the United States. It is home to one of the largest collections of Tiffany stained glass windows under one roof and is filled with historic naval memorials.

St. Peter’s Chapel – Vallejo, California – Atlas Obscura

IN BRIEF

POPE FRANCIS HAS ASKED PEOPLE TO PRAY AFTER 46 MIGRANTS WERE FOUND DEAD IN A TEXAS TRAILER TRUCK ON MONDAY. “I sorrowfully heard the news of the tragedy of the #migrants in Texas and #Melilla,” the pope said in a social media post on June 28. “Let us #PrayTogether for these brothers and sisters who died following their hope of a better life; and for ourselves, may the Lord might open our hearts so these misfortunes never happen again.” The migrants were found dead in an abandoned tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas on the evening of June 27. Sixteen other people were hospitalized, including four children, according to the Associated Press. Pope Francis asks for prayers after 46 migrants found dead in Texas trailer truck | Catholic News Agency

THE VATICAN HAS RELEASED A VIDEO OF POPE FRANCIS TELLING A GROUP OF BISHOPS FROM BRAZIL THIS WEEK THAT HIS MOBILITY HAS IMPROVED. “I have been able to walk for three days,” the pope said with a wave on June 27 as he walked with the help of a cane across the library of the Apostolic Palace. Pope Francis’ wheelchair could be seen in the back of the room as he greeted the Brazilian bishops. The pope has used a wheelchair for many of his public audiences for nearly two months. The 85-year-old pope’s comment comes after he used a cane to walk a short distance during the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families on June 25 and across the stage of Paul VI Hall in an audience with Neocatechumenal Way members on June 27. Pope Francis: ‘I have been able to walk for three days’ | Catholic News Agency

UPDATED BULLETIN ON PAPAL HEALTH – PAPAL CONDOLENCES FOR ASSASSINATION OF HAITIAN PRESIDENT

UPDATED BULLETIN ON PAPAL HEALTH

12:23 pm – The following updated statement from Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni contains one change from the previous bulletin. I have put that in italics and the asterisk * is mine: “His Holiness Pope Francis spent a quiet day, eating and moving unassisted. In the afternoon, he wished to express his paternal closeness to the young patients in the nearby paediatric oncology and children’s neurosurgery wards, sending them his affectionate greetings. In the evening he temporarily ran a temperature*. This morning he underwent routine and microbiological examinations, and a chest and abdomen scan, which proved negative. The Holy Father is continuing with his planned treatment and eating by mouth. At this particular moment, he looks toward all those who suffer, expressing his closeness to the sick, especially those most in need of care.”

*The previous bulletin used the words “high temperature.”

PAPAL CONDOLENCES FOR ASSASSINATION OF HAITIAN PRESIDENT

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin sent the following telegram of condolences in Pope Francis’ name to the Apostolic Nunciature in Haiti for the assassination of Jovenel Moïse, president of Haiti:

“Hearing the news of the heinous assassination of His Excellency Jovenel Moïse, President of Haiti, His Holiness Pope Francis offers his condolences to the Haitian people and to his wife, also seriously injured, whose life he commends to God. Praying to the Father of mercy for the soul of the faithful departed, the Holy Father expresses his sadness and condemns all forms of violence as a means of resolving crises and conflicts. He wishes for the dear Haitian people a future of fraternal harmony, solidarity and prosperity. As a sign of comfort he invokes the abundance of divine blessings on Haiti and all its inhabitants.”

 

POPE FRANCIS EATING, MOVING UNASSISTED: LAB TESTS NEGATIVE

POPE FRANCIS EATING, MOVING UNASSISTED: LAB TESTS NEGATIVE

July 8, 2021 – Statement from Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni on Pope Francis’ continued convalescence at Gemelli Hospital: His Holiness Pope Francis spent a quiet day, eating and moving unassisted. In the afternoon, he wished to express his paternal closeness to the young patients in the nearby paediatric oncology and children’s neurosurgery wards, sending them his affectionate greetings. In the evening he temporarily ran a high temperature. This morning he underwent routine and microbiological examinations, and a chest and abdomen scan, which proved negative. The Holy Father is continuing with his planned treatment and eating by mouth. At this particular moment, he looks toward all those who suffer, expressing his closeness to the sick, especially those most in need of care.

POST-OP PROGRESS OF POPE CONTINUES TO BE REGULAR

POST-OP PROGRESS OF POPE CONTINUES TO BE REGULAR

JULY 7, 2021 – Noon bulletin from Holy See Press Office. Bulletin today given in Italian, English and Spanish: “The post-operative progress of His Holiness Pope Francis continues to be regular and satisfactory. The Holy Father has continued to eat regularly and infusion therapy has been suspended. The final histological examination has confirmed a severe diverticular stenosis with signs of sclerosing diverticulitis. Pope Francis is touched by the many messages and the affection received in these days, and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”