Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Pope Francis's visit to Assisi will be a private one, in order to reduce health risks to Catholics who usually throng the streets on such occasions, and the elderly pontiff himself © AFP/File / Vincenzo PINTO

World

Pope sports a face mask for the first time in public

Pope Francis quickly removed his face mask as he emerged from his car © AFP / Vincenzo PINTO

Vatican City, Vatican City State, Sep 9 – Pope Francis was seen Wednesday for the first time wearing a protective face mask as he attended his second traditional general audience before a limited public presence after a six-month suspension.

The pontiff — known for a fondness for close personal contact — however quickly removed the mask as he emerged from the car carrying him to the audience, which was suspended in February over the coronavirus pandemic.

But he shunned his usual practice of shaking hands and kissing babies as some 500 faithful filled a courtyard at the Apostolic Palace inside the Vatican.

At his second meeting since suspending general audiences on February 26, the crowd thronged behind a barrier and some even lowered their masks to greet the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The 83-year-old pope finds it difficult to wear a mask that restricts his breathing, according to a member of his entourage © AFP / Vincenzo PINTO

The pope shook hands with prelates attending the audience and, smiling, then turned to the crowd, urging them not to shake hands and to return to their seats in order to “avoid contagion”.

Francis focused on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic which he said was “without barriers”.

He advocated a society in which people should have more solidarity with their neighbours.

Pope Francis, whose birth name is Jorge Bergoglio, has shown little fear for his health since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic early this year.

Before Wednesday he had never appeared with a mask and had continued to receive visitors within the Apostolic Palace — albeit fewer groups than before.

Last Thursday he shook hands with a group of French actors committed to defending the environment. The group was exempted from wearing face masks and included the actress Juliette Binoche.

Before Wednesday, the pope he has never appeared in public wearing a mask and had continued to receive some visitors in the Apostolic Palace © AFP / Vincenzo PINTO

The 83-year-old pontiff found it difficult to wear a mask that restricted his breathing, a member of his entourage said Wednesday.

When he was 21 Jorge Bergoglio suffered from acute pleurisy and surgeons removed part of his right lung, according to his biographer Austen Ivereigh.

This forced him to give up his dream of becoming a Jesuit missionary in Japan and he also had to give up playing football.

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News

NATIONAL NEWS

Kinyagia went missing from his home in Kinoo, Kiambu County, on June 22, with neighbours telling the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) that he...

NATIONAL NEWS

The head of state indicated the need for the health programme to remain efficient and incorruptible.

Kenya

DCI boss Mohamed Amin expected in court to answer over missing blogger Kinyagia, now gone 12 days.

NATIONAL NEWS

Prof Muchiri defended the move, stating that his contract terms allowed for the gratuity and that there was no requirement to wait for his...

NATIONAL NEWS

During these ceremonies, newly promoted officers are formally decorated with their new badges of rank.

World

In Italy, two men died after becoming unwell on beaches on the island of Sardinia, and a man in his 80s died of heart...

NATIONAL NEWS

The year-long programme will mobilise local talent—musicians, athletes, artists and community leaders—to spearhead peer-driven awareness campaigns.

World

July 3 – judge has denied bail to Sean “Diddy” Combs after a jury convicted the hip-hop mogul of transportation to engage in prostitution,...