Pope Francis goes back to work: 86-year-old pontiff meets Martin Scorsese and holds private audiences after day off with fever as health fears grow
- The pontiff met with legendary director Martin Scorsese and wife Helen Morris
- Health concerns have surrounded the octogenarian pontiff for some months
Pope Francis recovered to return to work today after being forced to clear his schedule due to a fever earlier in the week.
The pontiff resumed his duties, holding several private audiences, including a greeting with legendary Hollywood director Martin Scorsese.
The head of the Catholic Church met the Goodfellas director and his wife Helen Morris as part of a conference at the Vatican.
The trio were seen clasping each other’s hands and smiling with one another. Scorsese also appeared to hand Francis a framed gift.
Health concerns have surrounded the octogenarian pontiff for some months now. The 86-year-old had been hospitalised with bronchitis just two months ago.
Goodfellas: Pope Francis meets with director Martin Scorsese and his wife Helen Morris. The trio were pictured clasping each other’s hands and smiling with one another

Pope Francis met with director Martin Scorsese at Vatican today. Scorsese also appeared to hand Francis a framed gift
On Friday Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni had said the Argentine pope was not holding audiences ‘due to a feverish state’.
It was unclear who the pope had been expected to meet with, as his agenda was not made public.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin blamed the pontiff’s busy schedule, saying he was ‘tired’.
Francis had eight meetings Thursday, according to his published schedule.
His next public appearance is Sunday’s mass at St Peter’s Basilica to celebrate Pentecost, followed by the traditional Regina Coeli prayer.
On Monday, he is scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Francis, leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics since 2013, has suffered increasing health issues over the past year, from persistent pain in his right knee to his recent hospital stay for bronchitis.
The episodes have sparked widespread concern and fuelled speculation that he might choose to retire rather than stay in the job for life, a choice made by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
In late March, Francis was admitted to hospital in Rome after having breathing difficulties, and stayed for three nights.
He was treated with antibiotics for bronchitis.

Pope Francis meets with officials during a conference promoted by La Civilta Cattolica and Georgetown University at the Vatican today

The pontiff resumed his duties, holding several private audiences, and met with officials during a conference at the Vatican today

The pope reads aloud as he greets officials during a conference at the Vatican today
As he left the Gemelli Hospital on April 1, the pope smiled and joked with well-wishers, quipping: ‘I am still alive!’
However, the Pope was still forced to miss the ‘Way of the Cross’ procession on Good Friday last month due to cold weather.
He instead attended an indoor Good Friday service in St Peter’s Basilica.
It was the first time the Pope did not preside at the ‘Via Crucis’ service since he was elected in 2013.
He did manage to take part in Maundy Thursday duties, gathering with dozens of cardinals and bishops, and some 1,880 priests, in St Peter’s Basilica.
The Pope later travelled to the jail of Casal del Marmo on the outskirts of the city, where he washed and kissed the feet of 12 young inmates in a gesture meant to commemorate Jesus’ humility towards his apostles on the night before his death.
Francis, who became pope ten years ago, is missing part of one lung. It was removed when he was a young man in his native Argentina.
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