Pope cancels trip to U.N. climate conference on doctors' orders after getting the flu

Pope Francis waves to the faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. The pope, who will turn 87 next month, canceled his trip to Dubai for the U.N. climate conference on doctors' orders. (Andrew Medichini/AP)

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis canceled his trip to Dubai for the U.N. climate conference on doctors' orders Tuesday even though he is recovering from the flu and lung inflammation, the Vatican said.

Francis was scheduled to leave Rome on Friday to address the COP28 meeting first thing Saturday morning. He also was supposed to inaugurate a faith pavilion Sunday on the sidelines of the conference before returning home.