POPE FRANCIS’ shock ing coughing fits during several prayer services have triggered terrors that the pontiff has been stricken by the killer corona virus that’s swept like wildfire throughout Italy!
Alarm bells clanged when the pope was seen coughing on his Vatican balcony as he prayed for coronavirus victims at his March 1 Sunday blessing. He was also coughing and blowing his nose during a Feb. 26 Ash Wednesday Mass.
He further alarmed followers by canceling several appear ances, including a scheduled weeklong country retreat — the first time he’s missed the spiritual getaway in his seven years as pope.
“Unfortunately a cold will force me not to take part this year,” he told followers at his Sunday blessing. “I will follow the meditation from here.”
Says a source in Rome: “His coughing at the service scarily fit in with what is happening all over Italy and the world.
“Many of the worship pers who had gathered were wearing medical masks, hop ing to block breathing in the bug.”
Francis has tried to pooh pooh his cough and cancellations as just due to “a cold,” and, a Vatican spokesman adds, “there is no evidence that would lead to diagnosing any thing but a mild indisposition.”
This story is from the March 23, 2020 edition of Globe.
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This story is from the March 23, 2020 edition of Globe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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