VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has had a busy morning of audiences amid new health concerns following his cancellation of a planned outing.
The 77-year-old Francis seemed tired but smiled frequently during a shorter-than-usual, 10-minute private audience Saturday with the president of Madagascar. But the pope delivered a speech without problem to a visiting Orthodox delegation, and he had two other meetings with Vatican cardinals.
At the last minute, Francis skipped a visit Friday to a Rome hospital, the third time this month he has canceled or scaled back an event due to fatigue or illness.
Pope Francis looks on during his meeting with President of Madagascar Hery Rajoanarimampianina at the Vatican, Saturday, June 28, 2014. It was his first appearance after he canceled a planned visit to one of Rome’s main hospitals Friday, the third time this month the 77-year-old has skipped or scaled back an event due to illness or fatigue. (AP Photo/Riccardo de Luca)
The Vatican said he had suffered an “unexpected indisposition,” but there were no concerns for his health. Francis has only one full lung, has a bad back and was down with an intestinal problem earlier this month.