Francis appeared in his weekly audience but said he was not feeling well

Franciscus, who will turn 87 on December 17, briefly stood up, crossed himself and sat down at the beginning of the event.

He said in a barely audible voice that he wasn’t well yet, so the speech he was reading wouldn’t sound pretty. He then handed the printed speech to an assistant while he remained seated.

Doctors have asked the pope, who is suffering from respiratory problems, to cancel a planned three-day trip to the United Nations COP28 climate conference in Dubai, the Vatican said on Tuesday. The trip would have started on Friday and the pontiff would have returned to Rome on Sunday.

VIDEO: The Pope has canceled his next trip, he feels bad

The Vatican’s statement on the canceled trip also said the pontiff’s health had improved, but noted that the pontiff was suffering from the flu and respiratory inflammation.

According to the report, Francis, who has made caring for the environment one of the priorities of his pontificate, wanted to participate in some way in the discussions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It remains unclear whether he will deliver his address at the climate conference via video link or participate in some other form.

The Vatican said the pope agreed to the doctors’ request with great regret.

Earlier this year, Francis was hospitalized for three days, where he was treated with intravenous antibiotics for what the Vatican said at the time was bronchitis.

The Vatican said the pontiff, who is currently ill, is also receiving intravenous antibiotics. In Sunday’s televised performance, a tube for such consumption was seen on his right arm. A CT scan at a hospital in Rome on November 25 showed no signs of pneumonia, the Vatican said.