The pope resurfaces after health problems, calls for peace

During a speech he did not speak about his health problems but focused on his traditional call for world peace. The pope was unable to attend Thursday evening service and Friday morning because of the shiatic nerve.

This marks the first time since becoming Pope in 2013 since Francescu, who turned 84 last month, did not run a Mass for health reasons.

However, he displayed no signs of concern as he delivered a afternoon talk, accompanied by prayer at the library of the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

And today life is driven by war, the hostility of many things that are destructive. We want peace and this is a gift”, Pope Francisescu said, adding that the response to the global corruption crisis showed the importance of burden sharing between countries.

The painful developments that marked mankind's journey last year, especially the pandemic, taught us how much it takes to care about the problems of others and share their concerns”, he added.

The afternoon blessing is normally given by a window overlooking St. Peter's Square, but it moved into closed environments to prevent the gathering of believers as a measure to limit the spread of the virus.

The pope spoke with much concern about the situation in Yemen, a country damaged by six years of violence between a Saudi-led coalition and the Saudi-led Houth movement, linked to Iran. At least 22 people were killed in an attack at Aden Airport on Wednesday, which triggered a new cycle of coalition air strikes.

“I am angry and concerned about further escalation of violence in Yemen, which is causing numerous innocent victims”, Pope Franzescu said. “Let's think about Yemeni's children, without education, without medicine and hungry”, he added further.