Pope Francis cancelled some meetings yesterday to recover from what the Vatican termed a mild indisposition.
Today, the Pope celebrated the morning Mass in Santa Marta. The Mass was not his usual one, but celebrated in private in his residence. He decided not to celebrate the daily morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, but carried out his normal activities in the residence. There were no “cancellations” for public events today, since there were no events scheduled until tomorrow.
Yesterday, after an especially busy weekend, including Pentecost celebrations and the invocation for peace prayer initiative, the Pope, reportedly weary, cancelled his scheduled June 9 meeting with a group of Italian jurists.
The Pope, 77, had celebrated Mass for the feast of Pentecost and a prayer meeting with Israeli President Peres and Palestinian President Abbas. On Sunday evening, the Holy Father had also met privately with each of the two visiting heads of state, and with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.
Pope Francis has revised his schedules to allow for some extra rest, especially before and after major events.
Some of the Pontiff’s closest advisers have been encouraging him to take more time for relaxation, especially a summer vacation, which he declined to take last year. (D.C.L.)
