Vatican City, Nov 27, 2023 - Pope Francis' lung inflammation has caused him some breathing difficulties, but the Vatican confirmed on Monday that his condition is stable and "clearly improving." The 86-year-old pontiff, who is being treated with intravenous antibiotics, remains in good and stable condition without a fever, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.

A CT scan conducted at a Rome hospital over the weekend revealed lung inflammation as the cause of the breathing difficulties, ruling out pneumonia. Despite this, Pope Francis felt well enough to honor his scheduled appointment with the president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, on Monday morning. Photos released by the Vatican showcased the pope's radiant smile as he interacted with the visiting dignitary while using a cane to walk.

However, in light of his recovery from what the Vatican described as a "mild flu," the pope has made the decision to postpone some of his upcoming meetings this week. One such meeting, scheduled with a group of French sexual abuse survivors, was among those postponed, as reported by French news outlet I.Media.

Vatican spokesman Bruni explained, "To facilitate the pope's recovery, some important engagements scheduled for these days have been postponed so that he can devote the desired time and energy to them. Others, of an institutional nature or easier to support given his current health condition, have been maintained."

This is not the first time Pope Francis has faced medical setbacks. He has been hospitalized multiple times in recent years, with his most recent hospitalization occurring in June for abdominal surgery. The pope had a portion of his right lung removed in a surgery back in 1957, before embarking on his journey with the Jesuits. Additionally, earlier this year, he received treatment for bronchitis, which led to his lighthearted remark upon his release on April 1, "I'm still alive, you know."

Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis remains determined in his pursuits. In his Angelus address on Sunday, the pontiff expressed his intention to travel to Dubai next weekend to deliver a speech at the United Nations COP28 climate conference. The pope's visit to the United Arab Emirates is scheduled from December 1 to December 3.

As Pope Francis continues his recovery, the Vatican and his well-wishers worldwide remain hopeful for his steady improvement and his ability to fulfill his important engagements in the days to come.