VATICAN CITY, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni announced on Tuesday that Pope Francis has cancelled his planned trip to the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai. The cancellation is due to the effects of influenza and lung inflammation, raising concerns about the Pope's health.

The 86-year-old pontiff was scheduled to begin a three-day visit to Dubai on Friday, but doctors have advised against his travel. While his general clinical condition has improved in regards to the flu and respiratory tract inflammation, the Vatican deemed it necessary for the Pope to refrain from making the trip.

Expressing regret, the Vatican stated that they are exploring alternative ways for Pope Francis to contribute to the discussions remotely. They have not provided specifics on how he will participate.

Earlier on Tuesday, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni mentioned that the Pope was expected to deliver a keynote speech on Saturday at the COP28 meeting in Dubai. Additionally, he was scheduled to have bilateral meetings with approximately 30 individuals, including 20 heads of state.

Prior to this cancellation, the Pope had met with Spanish bishops visiting the Vatican on Tuesday. The protection of the environment remains a cornerstone of his pontificate, as evident in a document released in October. In the document, Pope Francis appealed to climate change deniers and politicians who are slow to act, urging them to recognize the human causes of climate change and the importance of scientific facts.

He emphasized the urgent need for a transition to clean, renewable energy, criticizing the slow progress in abandoning fossil fuels. The Pope's strong stance on environmental issues has garnered global attention.

The Vatican had recently announced that Pope Francis would limit his activities this week to preserve his strength after contracting the flu. A CT scan conducted at a Rome hospital on Saturday ruled out pneumonia, but detected inflammation in his lungs, which caused breathing difficulties. To address this, the Pope is receiving intravenous antibiotics.

With the cancellation of the COP28 trip, the Vatican and supporters worldwide are hoping for a swift recovery of Pope Francis, who remains a central figure in addressing environmental challenges and fostering global discourse on climate change.