Pope Francis says he has pneumonia. But he still plans to travel to UAE for climate conference

Pope Francis announced during his Sunday sermon, which was held via video link, that he has pneumonia, the Italian news agency ANSA reports.

"I will not be able to speak from the window [of the Apostolic Palace] today because I have a problem with pneumonia," Francis said from his residence. He also warned that the bulk of Sunday's sermon would be delivered by Paolo Braida, an employee of the Vatican Secretariat of State who helps write sermons.

According to Vatican News, in a message after the prayer, Francis noted the temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, under which Hamas will release 50 hostages out of 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The pontiff called on the faithful to pray for the release of all hostages and the continuation of humanitarian aid supplies to the Gaza Strip.

In addition, the Pope mentioned the anniversary of the Holodomor , emphasizing that “the wound, instead of healing, is only becoming more painful because of the war,” and called on the faithful to pray for the speedy arrival of peace.

Francis also noted that the world is threatened not only by military conflicts, but also by climate change. He also confirmed that he will travel to Dubai for a UN conference on climate change.

• The day before, the Vatican press service announced the cancellation of official audiences planned with Francis due to the pontiff's symptoms of "mild flu." It later became known that the Pope had undergone a CT scan to "rule out the risk of pulmonary complications." The results were negative.