Despite canceling all his audiences on Monday due to a “slight flu-like state,” Pope Francis’ planned trip to Belgium and Luxembourg later this week remains unchanged, The Associated Press reports, citing the Vatican.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni assured reporters that the cancellation only impacted Monday’s events and the 87-year-old pontiff is expected to proceed with his scheduled visits. Francis is set to travel to Luxembourg on Thursday before spending the rest of the week in Belgium, culminating with a Mass in Brussels on Sunday.
The Pope, who has used a wheelchair for the past two years and has faced several health challenges in recent times, has been experiencing a “flu-like state,” according to the Vatican press office. This follows a packed schedule of audiences since returning from a grueling 11-day trip to Asia on Sept. 13. This trip was the longest and farthest of his pontificate, involving visits to four countries.
While the flu-like symptoms have caused a minor disruption to his schedule, the Pope’s commitment to the Belgium and Luxembourg visits remains strong. In Belgium, Francis is set to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the country’s main Catholic universities and address concerns surrounding ongoing revelations of clergy sexual abuse and cover-ups.
This trip, coupled with the recent Asian journey, presents a demanding challenge for the Pope’s health, especially as he prepares for a busy fall season. Upon his return from Belgium, Francis is scheduled to preside over a three-week synod, a meeting of bishops focused on the future of the church, involving extensive closed-door discussions.
The Pope has faced several health issues in recent years, including hospitalization for a respiratory infection, a colon removal surgery, and a subsequent procedure to repair an abdominal hernia and remove scar tissue.
