Pope Francis forgoes traditional greeting due to health concerns

During Thursday's flight from Rome to Luxembourg, Pope Francis did not walk through the aisle of the plane as usual to personally greet each media envoy. The Holy See Press Office director noted that this situation "was not the first time."

Pope Francis traveled on Thursday morning from Rome to Luxembourg, thus beginning his 46th foreign visit of his pontificate. During this visit, he will also visit Belgium.

He seemed somewhat tired when he stood before the media envoys after the plane had taken off. "Thank you for your service. I am at your disposal," he said. Pointing to the narrow aisle between the rows of seats, he added: "I can’t manage to walk."

"Greetings to you from here," he conveyed, after which he returned to his seat.

The Holy See Press Office director, Matteo Bruni, told journalists on board that it was not the first time the 87-year-old pope did not come to greet them. He also noted that the flight to Luxembourg was short.

The situation caused some concern among the journalists because Francis managed to greet them during an even shorter flight to Marseille in France last year.

On Monday, Francis cancelled the audiences scheduled for that day, which the Vatican explained was due to the pope's "mild flu" condition.

After an eight-hour visit to Luxembourg on Thursday, the pope will arrive in Brussels in the evening and stay until Sunday.