VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis conducted his weekly Angelus prayer from the Vatican window overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, signaling his recovery from a mild flu that prompted the cancellation of his engagements the day before.
A statement released on Saturday by the Vatican press office informed that the 87-year-old pontiff had to forgo a planned audience with Roman deacons as a precautionary measure due to a “mild, flu-like condition.”
Despite concerns over his health, Pope Francis resumed his duties on Sunday, concluding the Angelus prayer with customary greetings to the gathered crowd.
During his address, the pontiff expressed sorrow as he marked the second anniversary of what he termed “a large-scale war in Ukraine.”
“Countless victims, injuries, destruction, and prolonged suffering characterize this conflict, which shows no signs of abating,” the pope remarked.
He further emphasized the global ramifications of the conflict, stating, “This war not only devastates the region of Europe but also spreads a worldwide wave of fear and animosity.”
Pope Francis appealed for humanity to prevail, urging diplomatic efforts towards a just and enduring peace.
Additionally, the pontiff offered prayers for those affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urged concrete assistance for all those enduring the hardships of war.
“Let us remember the suffering, the injured, and the innocent children caught in the midst of conflict,” Pope Francis urged, emphasizing the need for collective action to alleviate their plight.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
