Pope Francis, who has been suffering from a severe cold, will lead regular Sunday prayers, known as the Angelus, from his residence as a precaution, the Vatican said in a statement on Saturday.
The decision was taken in view of the cold weather in Rome and the pope’s commitments in the days leading up to Christmas, he added.
He turned 88 on Tuesday (17) and has suffered health crises in recent years.
He complained about the effect of the cold during an audience on Friday (20), but the previous Saturday he was well enough to give his annual Christmas address to the cardinals.
The pope will recite the Angelus on Sunday from the chapel in the Vatican’s Santa Marta neighborhood, where he lives, rather than addressing pilgrims from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
