Pope Francis Meets With European Rabbis Despite Being Sick

Pope Francis met with rabbis from across Europe on Monday (November 6) even if he was not able to read a prepared speech due to him not feeling well.

The pontiff, who was since reported to be missing a part of one of his lungs early on in his life, told the rabbis during the audience at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace that he was delighted to receive them, but preferred not to read the speech.

"I'm not feeling well, and so I prefer not to read the speech but give it to you, so you can take it with you," the pope told the rabbis.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters that the pope "has a bit of a cold and a long day of audiences" and that he "preferred to greet the European rabbis individually" by handing them copies of his intended speech.

The pope's next engagement for the day would include a meeting with some 7,000 children from 84 countries, Bruni added.

Francis has been plagued with chronic health issues in recent years, including two abdominal surgeries and a chronic knee problem forcing him to use a wheelchair when walking longer stretches. He was also hospitalized earlier this year for what the Vatican said was bronchitis, but the pontiff described the ailment as a bout of pneumonia, the Associated Press reported.

Italian state TV interviewed the pope and his health condition a few days ago, with Francis saying he was "still alive" and intending to go to Dubai for the COP28 conference in early December.

Francis Decries Antisemitism, War, Terrorism

In his prepared speech, Francis said his first thoughts and prayers went "above all else, to everything that has happened in the last few weeks," referring to Hamas's sabbath attack in southern Israel on October 7 and the subsequent abduction of over 200 people as hostages.

"Yet again violence and war have erupted in that Land blessed by the Most High, which seems continually assailed by the vileness of hatred and the deadly clash of weapons," the pontiff wrote.

He also observed the increase in antisemitic attacks and vandalism in Europe, particularly in France, Austria, and Italy.

"The spread of antisemitic demonstrations, which I strongly condemn, is also of great concern," Francis added, also saying that believers in the Judeo-Christian God are called to build "fraternity and open paths of reconciliation for all."

"Not weapons, not terrorism, not war, but compassion, justice, and dialogue are the fitting means for building peace," he stressed.

The pope also suggested people of goodwill to take steps to "search for [one's] neighbor" as well as acceptance and patience, and certainly not "the brusque passion of vengeance and the folly of bitter hatred."

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Vatican, Catholic church, Holy See, Rome, Pope Francis, Judaism, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Hamas