Ailing Pope Francis meets rabbis to denounce antisemitism

Pope Francis at the Vatican (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Pope Francis met with European rabbis and decried antisemitism, war and terrorism in a written speech he declined to read, saying he was not feeling well.

Francis told the rabbis on Monday during the audience in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace that he was very happy to receive them, but added: “I’m not feeling well, and so I prefer not to read the speech but give it to you, so you can take it with you.”