Vatican City, Feb 28, 2020 / 08:00 am
Pope Francis postponed his official audiences for Friday, but maintained his private meeting schedule at his residence in Vatican City. The decision comes after the pope was reported to have a "slight" illness by a Vatican spokesman.
Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told journalists Feb. 28 that Pope Francis offered Mass in Santa Marta and "greeted participants at the end, as usual," before deciding to cancel his audiences and remain in his residence.
It is the second day that the pope has canceled appearances. Pope Francis did not attend a scheduled liturgy for the priests of the Diocese of Rome in the Basilica of St. John Lateran on Thursday after feeling unwell.
"Due to a slight indisposition," Pope Francis "preferred to remain in the rooms close to Santa Marta," Bruni said Feb. 27.