Pope Francis's health concerns persist amid recent speech challenges

Pope Francis, who has been struggling with health issues for three weeks, is still unable to read the texts of his speeches. Therefore, as many times in recent weeks, he instructed one of his coworkers from the Secretariat of State to read his speech.

On Saturday during an audience for the staff of the Bambino Gesu (Child Jesus) pediatric hospital in the Vatican, the Pope confessed: "I have not recovered, and I cannot read the speech".

The Rev. Filippo Ciampanelli undertook the task of reading the Pope's speech. This was not the first instance, as Rev. Ciampanelli has frequently replaced the Pope in this role during other audiences.

After the audience, Pope Francis personally greeted around 200 children who were patients at the hospital, including the youngest who came from Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.

On 24 February, the Vatican issued a statement revealing that the 87-year-old Pope suffers from "mild flu symptoms". Later, the Pope himself disclosed during an audience that he has bronchitis. Additionally, the Pope was hospitalised for tests to rule out possible lung complications.

The health condition of the 87-year-old concerns the faithful. This marks another occasion in recent months where he has been diagnosed with a respiratory infection.

Health issues for the Pope intensified at the end of February. At that time, in a brief announcement, the Holy See communicated that due to a "mild flu state", the Pope canceled planned audiences.

Last year, Francis was hospitalised with suspicions of a coronavirus infection. However, the tests came back negative, and a respiratory infection was confirmed in the head of the Church.

In 2021, the Pope underwent surgery to remove part of his large intestine. The 87-year-old also struggles with sciatica and knee problems, which often necessitate the use of a wheelchair or cane.