The Pope’s Disturbing Disappearing Act
No one can argue that
Pope Francis deserves a little break. Since taking office in March 2013,
the 77-year-old Argentinian has been on the move almost nonstop greeting his adoring public and reforming the Vatican’s many troubled institutions.
Many
people already have tickets for the July audiences, which implies that
the decision to suspend them was spontaneous, not preplanned. Several
Vatican insiders also have noted that the pope is gaining weight and
breathing harder than usual, which has caused some of his close
associates to warn him to slow down. “Some in the Holy See are beginning
to openly discuss concerns about Francis’ condition and asking if the
Holy Father is overtaxing himself,” longtime Vatican correspondent
Edward Pentin wrote after the surprising changes to the pope’s schedule.
Francis, who only has one functioning lung after having part of his other lung removed due to an infection when he was younger, has been noticeably tired in recent weeks. “Close observers are noting that the Pope’s physical body may be failing to keep up with his youthful energy and vigor, especially considering he only has one fully functioning lung,” says Pentin.
By some estimates, Francis has gained as much as 20 pounds since taking office, likely because his physical activity has diminished, even though his scheduled has intensified. “His repeated fatigue reports and weight gain suggest he may be slipping into a form of chronic heart failure common among victims of significant lung disorders,” Dr. Peter Hibberd told Newsmax. “His immunity will be challenged when under stress, and more frequent pauses to recover from otherwise small insults—such as colds, sore throats, and minor injuries—can be expected to increase in the future unless he paces himself.”
There are no reports whether the pope has been forced to use an inhaler or take extra oxygen to help him breathe in Rome’s stifling humid summer weather, but there is rampant speculation in Rome that part of the reason he is going undercover in July is because whatever is ailing him can’t easily be hidden. Papal confidante Cardinal Telesphonre Placidus Toppo of India told Italy’s Libero newspaper that he found the pope “very tired and fatigued” after spending time with him. “I honestly do not know how long he might be able to sustain this pace that he’s certainly not accustomed to,” Toppo told the paper.
The
Vatican has played down concerns for the pope, saying last week the
pope cancelled his appointments due to a slight “indisposition” and that
it was “not serious.” Unlike his predecessors John Paul II and
Benedict XVI, Francis will not be spending the summer in Castel Gandolfo
outside of Rome, but will instead be working from his offices in
Vatican City, albeit out of the public view except on Sundays when he
will continue to bless the crowds who gather in St. Peter’s square at
noon for his weekly Angelus—a practice that even the ailing John Paul II
was able to manage until the final days of his life. Francis’s next
major public appointment is now a trip to South Korea scheduled for
August 13—18.
The Vatican may be brushing off concern, but even Francis seems to be fully aware of his immortality. During an a visit to the Sant Egidio
charity in Rome’s Trastevere district on Sunday, the pope braved
torrential rainstorms to greet the poor, and finished the event by
asking the crowds to pray for him. “My work is unhealthy, extraordinary
work and I need prayer,” he said.
And
last week, when he was asked he took risks by traveling through massive
crowds without the bullet-proof “sardine can” pope mobile during an
interview with Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia , he said he left his
fate in God’s hands. “It’s true that anything could happen,” the
pontiff replied. “But let’s face it, at my age I don’t have much to
lose.”
3 comments:
I agree that those expecting the pope's imminent demise are just speculating. Nonetheless, he isn't going to be around long. I wrote about it here. goo.gl/27LzUu
Well looks can be deceiving. No matter how well he may look his own doctor has told him to slow down and stop overtaxing himself. Have you not noticed how much weight he has gained in the last year. Edward Pentin would not make this stuff of. You see how hard it is for him to speak. He has only one complete lung.
Now, Pope Francis said in an interview today that he may retire….well, bye.
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