Pope Francis Addresses His Health Problems During In-Flight Press Conference

Speaking aboard the papal plane, the 85-year-old Pontiff said that his problems walking have shown some improvement.

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference from Malta on April 3.
Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference from Malta on April 3. (photo: National Catholic Register / Vatican Media)

Pope Francis spoke on Sunday about some of the health problems that have been slowing him down in recent months. 

“My health is a bit fickle. I have this knee problem that brings out problems with walking,” he told journalists on April 3. 

Speaking aboard the papal plane, the 85-year-old Pope said that his problems walking have shown some improvement. 

“It is a bit annoying, but it is getting better; at least I can walk. Until a week ago I couldn’t do it,” he commented.

“It’s a slow thing this winter. ... At this age, you don’t know how the match will end. Let’s hope it goes well,” he said. 

The Pope spoke in response to a question during an in-flight press conference on his return flight from Malta about how he was feeling following his April 2-3 trip.

Throughout the Pope’s visit to Malta, extra measures were taken to ensure that the Pope would not have to take stairs.

At the welcome ceremony, he descended a lift rather than the stairs of the papal plane. 

A special lift was also installed at the Basilica of St. Paul in Rabat to enable Pope Francis to visit and pray in the crypt grotto, a cherished Catholic pilgrimage spot on the Mediterranean island country. 

The trip to Malta was Pope Francis’ first papal trip of 2022. 

A February trip to Florence was canceled on account of his knee problems. 

In July 2021, Pope Francis spent 11 days in a Rome hospital recuperating from colon surgery.

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne attends a German Synodal Way assembly on March 9, 2023.

Four German Bishops Resist Push to Install Permanent ‘Synodal Council’

Given the Vatican’s repeated interventions against the German process, the bishops said they would instead look to the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Meanwhile, on Monday, German diocesan bishops approved the statutes for a synodal committee; and there are reports that the synodal committee will meet again in June.

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis