Pope holds prayers from home due to cold

Before Christmas holidays

Pope holds prayers from home due to cold

A busy program awaits the Pope at Christmas. A few days before the celebrations, the 88-year-old was plagued by a cold. As a precaution, Francis prays from home.

Pope Francis held the traditional Angelus prayer in the chapel of his Vatican residence because of a cold. “I’m sorry that I’m not on the pitch with you, but I’m feeling better,” said the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church in a hoarse voice. Francis did not appear for the prayer at the window of the Apostolic Palace as usual, but in a live broadcast.

Francis has been suffering from a cold for a few days. He described his appearance on Sunday in a live broadcast that was shown on screens in St. Peter’s Square as a “precautionary measure.” By not standing next to an open window, temperature fluctuations should be avoided. Last winter he had already prayed in the Santa Marta guesthouse in the Vatican because of respiratory illnesses.

A busy schedule awaits the pontiff over the Christmas holidays. On Christmas Eve, Francis doesn’t just hold Christmas mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Year of the Catholic Church begins with the ceremonial opening of the Holy Door. Such jubilee years only take place every 25 years. On Christmas Day, the Pontiff gives the traditional blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (roughly: “To the City and the World”).