Pope Francis appears at weekly audience

Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who will turn 87 on December 17 and had part of one lung removed as a young man, coughed near end of hourlong audience in a Vatican auditorium

AFP

Pope Francis

With a soft voice, barely above a whisper, Pope Francis told the public that "since I am not well," his reading of his speech wouldn`t sound "pretty"

AFP

Pope Francis

He then handed the printed speech to the aide

AFP

Pope Francis

But Pope Francis did speak at the end of the audience, voicing his contentment over the truce in fighting between Israel and Hamas

AFP

Pope Francis

"They lack bread, water, the people are suffering," Pope Francis said

AFP