Just days after leaving hospital following a hernia operation, Pope Francis on Thursday declared himself ready for World Youth Day in Lisbon in August — despite still having difficulties breathing.
“Some think that because of illness I can’t go, but the doctor told me I can, so I’ll be with you,” the 86-year-old said in a video message to participants of the Catholic Church event.
“There’s 40 days left, like Lent, before the meeting in Lisbon. I’m ready! I already have everything, I can’t wait to go!” the Argentine said in his native Spanish, holding up a World Youth Day branded backpack.
The pope, who has been head of the worldwide Catholic Church for a decade, underwent a three-hour operation under general anaesthetic on June 7 to remove a painful hernia on the site of a scar from a previous surgery.
He was discharged after nine nights at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, his third stay in hospital since 2021.
At an audience Thursday of church aid organisations, Francis did not deliver his prepared speech, telling the audience he still had difficulties breathing.
He said he was still “under the effects of the anaesthesia”, according to the Vatican’s official media outlet, Vatican News.
Francis has suffered a series of health issues since his election in 2013, from hip problems, knee pain and weight gain, to an inflamed colon and respiratory infection.
But he continues to travel widely and has a typically packed programme for his August 2-6 visit to Portugal for World Youth Day, with around 20 meetings scheduled.
