ROME — Pope Francis is currently dealing with a cold and will be delivering his Sunday blessing from the comfort of an indoor location, according to an announcement from the Vatican. This decision comes as the Pope is preparing for a demanding Christmas season and the initiation of the Holy Year, both events that will test his health and resilience.
The Vatican attributed this precaution to the chilly weather outside and the rigorous schedule ahead for the Pope. On Saturday, he delivered his traditional Christmas greeting to Vatican officials, during which he appeared to be wheezing and congested.
At 88 years of age, Francis is set to launch the Holy Year on Tuesday and will oversee the celebrations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at St. Peter’s Basilica. Additionally, he will visit Rome’s main prison on Thursday to inaugurate the Jubilee there.
The Pope has a history of bronchitis, which tends to flare up during the winter months. Earlier this year, he was hospitalized for intravenous antibiotics treatment. Having undergone surgery to remove part of one lung during his youth, he often appears short of breath, particularly after physical exertion.
During his Christmas address on Saturday, he took time to compose himself between remarks as he addressed various Vatican officials and lay staff. He seized the opportunity to denounce the culture of gossip and backbiting among his close associates, urging them to foster positivity instead.
“A church community thrives in camaraderie and joy when its members embrace humility and reject harmful thoughts and words about one another,” Francis stated. He emphasized that gossip is a destructive force that damages social ties and afflicts individuals mentally. “What people say is quite accurate: Gossip equals zero,” he warned his audience.
Yearly, Pope Francis uses his Christmas address as a platform to instruct Vatican clerics about humility and to critique what he perceives as wrongdoing within the institution. In a particularly pointed address in 2014, he identified “15 ailments of the Curia,” suggesting that some prelates exploit their Vatican positions for personal gain. He further characterized their behavior as “hypocritical” and a result of “spiritual Alzheimer’s,” which leads them away from their roles as joyful followers of God.
In 2022, he cautioned that a “sophisticated demon” lurks against those who adopt a rigid and self-righteous approach to faith. This year, he returned to the theme of gossip, highlighting its disruptive presence in enclosed spaces like the Vatican where behind-the-scenes talk often goes unaddressed publicly.
Pope Francis has consistently advocated for unfiltered conversations and even welcomes critiques of his leadership, provided they are expressed face-to-face. He also opened his address with reflections on the suffering caused by the war in Gaza, stating that even his patriarch was unable to fulfill his pastoral duties due to ongoing violence.
“Yesterday, children were targeted. This is not warfare; this is an act of cruelty,” he remarked, emphasizing the dire situation.
The Pope’s Christmas address marks the beginning of a busy season for him, which has become increasingly intense with the upcoming commencement of the Vatican’s Holy Year this Christmas Eve. The Jubilee is anticipated to attract roughly 32 million pilgrims to Rome by 2025, presenting Francis with a full calendar of events dedicated to serving visitors.
After speaking with the clergy, Pope Francis delivered a more encouraging speech to the Vatican’s lay workers and their families gathered at the main audience hall. He expressed gratitude for their contributions and reminded them of the importance of spending time with their children and elderly family members.
“If you have specific issues, be sure to bring them up with your supervisors; we want to address them,” he concluded. “This should be done through open dialogue, not silence. Together, we will work towards solutions.”
This statement seemed to recognize the growing concerns among Vatican staff highlighted by the Association of Vatican Lay Employees, which acts somewhat like a labor union. In recent months, the association raised alarms over the health of the Vatican pension fund and potential budget cuts, urging leadership to consider workers’ feedback.
Earlier this year, 49 employees from the Vatican Museums — a primary source of revenue for the Holy See — initiated a class-action suit in the Vatican tribunal regarding various labor-related grievances, including overtime and workplace conditions.