Francis Must Relearn to Speak


Francis needs to practice using his voice and "learn to speak again," Cardinal Tucho Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said on March 21 after the presentation of a new book of Francis' texts on poetry.

The reason Fernández gave was that the oxygen supplied "dries everything out."

Regarding the Pope's admission to Rome's Gemelli Clinic on February 14, Fernández jokingly added: "The Pope didn't want to go to the hospital, they persuaded him, his very close friends, I don't know what swear words they used ... But he is a Jesuit from another time, a strong man who, even in these dark times, always has the ability to find meaning."

And: "Francis is always good for a surprise."

Meanwhile, the Vatican press office is trying to give the impression that Francis is doing well and that his general physical condition is the same as before.

Francis will appear at the window of his room at Gemelli hospital tomorrow and impart a blessing.

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