Pope leads long Vatican Mass after health setbacks

Pope Francis had cancelled recent appearances due to health issues but was seen chatting and smiling with archbishops during the mass yesterday. He is seen here with Lahore (Pakistan) Sebastian Francis Shaw at the mass — AFP

VATICAN CITY — Looking tired but relaxed, Pope Francis has led his first major public ceremony after a spate of cancelled appointments for health problems. Francis appeared to hold up well yesterday during the more than 90-minute Mass in St Peter’s Basilica to honour Saints Peter and Paul. The Vatican has played down the cancellations, including one last-minute Friday because 77-year-old Francis had an unspecified “mild” health problem.

Francis, often laughing or smiling, chatted with each of the 24 archbishops kneeling before him to receive a white woolen band symbolising shared episcopal power.

An hour after the ceremony, he appeared to people in St Peter’s Square from an Apostolic Palace window. He appealed for Iraq’s leaders to use dialogue to save national unity and avoid further warfare there. — AP