Pope Francis skips prepared speech, says not feeling well

Pope Francis on Monday did not read a prepared speech at a meeting with European rabbis, saying he was not feeling well.

"Good morning. I greet you all and I welcome you and thank you for this visit, which greatly pleases me. But it happens that I am not well and because of this I prefer not to read the speech but give you a copy," Francis told the rabbis.

The 86-year-old pope seemed fatigued and short of breath as he greeted them.

A Vatican spokesman issued a short statement later on Monday, saying that the pope has "a bit of cold" and that his busy schedule for the rest of the day will continue regularly.

Francis has a long history of health problems. The pontiff had a part of his lung removed when he was young and has been using a wheelchair or a cane for more than a year because of strained ligaments in his knee.

In June, he underwent surgery to repair an abdominal hernia. He spent nine days in hospital and seemed to have recovered completely from the operation.

In recent years, the pope's frail health conditions have raised worries on whether he is fit to lead the Catholic Church in turbulent times. Francis himself signaled in past interviews that he would consider a possible resignation should his health worsen over time.