Pope Francis addresses his health problems during in-flight press conference

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference from Malta, April 3, 2022. / Vatican Media.

Aboard the papal plane, Apr 3, 2022 / 13:11 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis spoke on Sunday about some of the health problems that have been slowing him down in recent months.

“My health is a bit fickle, I have this knee problem that brings out problems with walking,” he told journalists on April 3.

Speaking aboard the papal plane, the pope said that his problems walking have shown some improvement.

“It is bit annoying, but it is getting better, at least I can walk, until a week ago I couldn’t do it.”

The pope spoke in response to a question during an in-flight press conference on his return flight to Malta about how he was feeling following his apostolic journey to Malta April 2-3.

Throughout the pope’s trip to Malta, extra measures were taken to ensure that the pope would not have to take stairs.

At the welcome ceremony, he descended a lift rather than the stairs of the papal plane.

A special life was also installed at the Basilica of St Paul’s to enable Pope Francis to visit and pray the crypt grotto, a cherished Catholic pilgrimage spot on the Mediterranean island country.

The trip to Malta was Pope Francis’ first papal trip of 2022.

A prior trip to Florence was cancelled on account of his knee problems.

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