Pope Forced to Cut Short Homily by Breathing Issue

Vatican City: Pope Francis was forced to cut short a homily in the Vatican on Sunday, stating that he was having trouble breathing amid a bout of severe bronchitis. The 87-year-old pontiff addressed the issue during a mass held in St. Peter’s Square, where military personnel had gathered for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces.

According to Ansa News Agency, Pope Francis expressed his apologies and requested Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of the Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, to continue reading the homily on his behalf. The Pope’s decision to pass the text to Archbishop Ravelli was met with applause from the assembled military personnel, acknowledging the Pope’s transparency about his health struggles during the religious ceremony.