Pope Francis continues rest due to 'a minor indisposition'

Vatican City, Jun 10, 2014 / 06:18 am

Following the cancellation of his public commitments yesterday morning due to tiredness, Pope Francis has decided to continue his rest today with no appointments, but will continue tomorrow as usual.

"He is not sick and there is nothing serious, but he had a minor indisposition and because of this he felt that it was better to give up some commitments yesterday and the celebration of the Mass with the general public this morning in Santa Marta," Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi told CNA June 10.

Fr. Lombardi explained that the Pope usually does not hold public commitments on Tuesdays, so he did not have to cancel any appointments for today. He also said that the Pope plans to carry out his normal private activities and the General Audience tomorrow.

Yesterday Pope Francis canceled his commitments for the second part of the morning following Sunday's Invocation for Peace in the Vatican gardens with the presidents of Israel and Palestine, as well as Patriarch Bartolomeo I of Constantinople, after which he was "very tired," the spokesman said.

Although Pope Francis is taking a second day of rest, he sent a tweet from his Twitter account @Pontifex this morning, stating: "Let us pray for all victims of sexual violence in conflict, and those working to end this crime. #TimeToAct".

The hashtag used by the Roman Pontiff is the one currently promoting the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict currently taking place in London.

Lasting from June 10-13, the summit is the largest international gathering ever held to address this issue, and is being co-chaired by British Foreign secretary William Hague and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees special envoy Angelina Jolie.