Pope leads first Mass after health problems

Looking tired but relaxed, Pope Francis has led his first major public ceremony since health problems forced a spate of cancelled appointments.

The 77-year-old pontiff, appeared to hold up well during the 90-minute Mass in St Peter’s Basilica to honour Saints Peter and Paul.

The Vatican has played down the cancellations, including one at the last minute on Friday, attributing them without elaboration to some mild health problem.

Pope Francis, often chuckling, chatted with each of 24 archbishops kneeling before him to receive a white woollen band, symbolising shared episcopal power.

He later addressed the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square and appealed for Iraq’s leaders to save the nation from further warfare.

The Pope then did what he has started doing recently when greeting the public — asking for prayers for himself. “Please don’t forget to pray for me,” he said.

These requests for prayers, combined with his recent quip that a Pope’s job could be unhealthy and the cancellation of several appointments in the last few weeks, fuelled concern that perhaps he was seriously ill.

The Vatican insisted on Friday: “There are no reasons to worry about the Pope’s health”.

June 29 is a Roman holiday, and for the occasion, Francis granted an interview to the city’s daily paper Il Messaggero.

“I found him in great shape,” said his interviewer, Franca Giansoldati.