Pope cuts short homily due to breathing difficulties

Pope Francis (File Photo: Catholic Church England and Wales/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED)

By ANSA, Philippine News Agency

ROME – Pope Francis was forced to cut short his homily on Sunday, citing difficulty breathing, as he continues to battle a lingering case of bronchitis.

“Now I apologize a little, and ask the master to continue reading, because I have difficulty breathing,” the 87-year-old pontiff said, before handing over the rest of his homily to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations.

The Pope, who has faced recurring respiratory issues in recent months, was addressing a gathering of military personnel at St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces when he abruptly paused.

The audience responded with applause, seemingly supporting his decision to prioritize his health.

Francis has had a series of health challenges in recent years, including hospitalizations for respiratory infections and surgery for an abdominal hernia.

His bronchitis, which has persisted for weeks, has raised fresh concerns about his ability to carry out public engagements, though he has continued to fulfill many of his duties.