Pope's condition improving but will stay indoors to be on safe side, says Vatican

VATICAN CITY: The health of Pope Francis, who is suffering from a lung inflammation, is improving but he will read his Sunday message indoors from his residence to be on the safe side, the Vatican said on Saturday (Dec 2).

A statement said the 86-year-old pontiff had no fever and was continuing anti-biotic treatment.

He normally reads the message from a window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter's Square. He would read it indoors to "avoid exposing himself to temperature changes", the statement said.

Francis was forced to skip a planned trip to Dubai to make an address to the United Nations (UN) climate summit, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai.

The Vatican's number two, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, read it on his behalf.