Pope Francis cancels meetings Monday due to 'mild bout of flu,' Vatican says
Pope Francis canceled his meetings Monday because he is suffering from a “mild bout of flu,” according to the Holy See Press Office.
The brief message was posted Monday on the Vatican website.
“Due to a mild bout of flu, and as a precautionary measure in view of the upcoming journey, the papal audiences scheduled for today have been (canceled),” the full statement read.
Among Pope Francis’ activities for the day was a meeting with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and those participating in a Culture for Education Pontifical Foundation Christmas contest.
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is a scientific academy founded in Rome in 1603 and ceased operations years later. Pope Pius XI reinstated the academy in 1936, according to the organization’s website.
In his message to the academy, Pope Francis said the academy’s knowledge is vital in today’s world.
“Members of your Academy were thus among the first to identify the cumulative impact of human activities on creation and to study its related risks and problems,” he said to the academy Monday. “Indeed, the Anthropocene is revealing its increasingly dramatic consequences for nature and for human beings, especially through the climate crisis and loss in biodiversity.”
Pope Francis said the world today faces “grave” issues socially, politically and environmentally and the academy is doing its part to help.
“Dear friends, at a time when crises, wars and threats to world security seem to prevail, your own quiet contributions to the progress of knowledge in the service of our human family are all the more important for the cause of global peace and international cooperation,” he said.
Pope says musicians and performers inspire
Pope Francis also addressed the Culture for Education Pontifical Foundation, noting that the group is “committed to spreading the Church’s educational and cultural activities.” Pope Francis said the contest makes way for “human growth.”
Addressing his message to the singers and musicians who are part of the contest, he said their work is part of a movement to promote the values of Christmas and inspiring others.
“As young people, in your desire to express your artistic vocation and your human and Christian journey, all of you, in different ways, feel the attraction of the mystery of incarnate love,” Pope Francis wrote. “Moreover, you express it in song and music. In this way, you also sing about hope for those of your peers who have lost it for so many reasons: suffering, illness, war, forced migration, problems in the family, school or with friends.”
What’s next for Pope Francis?
In the coming days, Pope Francis is set to spend time in Luxembourg and Belgium, where he will meet with leaders, prime ministers, professors and students, according to the Catholic News Agency.
His trip will run from Thursday to Sunday. The Pope will wrap up his trip Sunday with a farewell ceremony at Melsbroek Air Base in Belgium, the outlet reported.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.