Pope is unable to climb steps onto his Popemobile and has to be taken away by wheelchair as lingering problems continue to take their toll on the 87-year-old pontiff
Lingering breathing and mobility problems continue to take their toll on the Pope and were more on display than ever as he attempted to board his Popemobile after an audience at the Vatican today.
Francis again asked an aide to read his remarks and was unable to board his signature vehicle after his weekly general audience at the Vatican as persistent breathing and mobility problems continue to afflict the 87-year-old pontiff.
This year the event took place outside for the first time on a fresh St. Peter’s Square. Francis had an assistant read his catechism lesson, as he has done in recent days.
Last Wednesday, Francis went to the hospital in Rome for unspecified diagnostic tests, the results of which have not been released.
The Pope was helped by an assistant as he tried to get into the back of the Popemobile
He has not been able to walk long distances for a while and spends most of his time in his chair
He found it quite difficult when he tried to get into the vehicle and required assistance
He has suffered off and on this winter with what he and the Vatican believe were colds, bouts of bronchitis and flu.
Late last year, Francis underwent a CAT scan that ruled out pneumonia, but the pope was still forced to cancel a trip to the Gulf due to acute infectious bronchitis.
Francis also suffers from a knee fracture and ligament inflammation that started in 2022 and led to him using a wheelchair, which he has been using ever since.
But he has mostly managed to get around with a cane or walker and the help of assistants to get him into a standing position.
On Wednesday, however, Francis appeared unable to climb the few steps to enter his popemobile at the end of his audience, even as he held on to the handrails.
Despite his health problems, he continues to fulfill his papal duties and attend events
Popes, even sick ones, have historically been the most photographed people in the world
Francis can just make the short walk from his wheelchair to the podium
He has used a cane to get around due to his limited mobility and many recent surgeries
The 87-year-old has said he would retire if his health deteriorated too much, but that hasn’t happened yet
Assistants quickly returned his wheelchair and he sat back down. He then greeted the crowd before being driven from the square.
The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed as a young man due to a respiratory infection, and he often speaks in whispers even when he is not ill.
In 2021, he had a piece of his colon removed and last year he had surgery to repair an abdominal hernia and remove intestinal scar tissue.