Due to sickness, Pope Francis has canceled his COP28 visit

The Vatican said on Tuesday that Pope Francis has canceled his scheduled travel to COP28 due to the symptoms of influenza and lung inflammation, raising more concerns about his health. The 86-year-old pope was scheduled to arrive in Dubai for a three-day visit on Friday, and the Vatican had said earlier on Tuesday that the trip would go. "Although the Holy Father's general clinical condition has improved about the flu and inflammation of the respiratory tract, doctors have asked the pope not to make the trip planned for the coming days to Dubai," according to the Vatican. It further stated that the pope had decided not to travel "with great regret" and that it would investigate options in which the head of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide might participate in the talks virtually.