Pope Francis said Thursday he is suffering from highly contagious acute bronchitis. which prevented him from traveling to Dubai this weekend to attend the COP28 climate summit.

Francisco, who He will turn 87 in December. He has had several health problems in recent years that have resulted in hospitalizations, most recently in June.

“As you can see, I’m still alive” he said in an impromptu speech during a seminar on health and ethics, according to a Vatican transcript.

“The doctor did not let me go to Dubai. The reason is that it is very hot there, and from the heat you go to the air conditioner, and (this is not convenient) such a bronchial situation. Thank God it wasn’t pneumonia.. “This is a very acute infectious bronchitis,” he noted.

Francisco assured that He does not have a fever, but is taking antibiotics.confirming what the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday.

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During another audience on Thursday with theologians, the pontiff asked them: “Pray for me. Pray for me, not against mebecause this job is not easy. Thank you”.

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolintold reporters on Wednesday he hopes to lead the Vatican delegation to climate talks in Dubai.

(Reuters)