ROME (AP) 鈥 Pope Francis met with European rabbis on Monday and decried antisemitism, war and terrorism in a written speech he declined to read, saying he wasn't feeling well.
Francis told the rabbis during the audience in that he was very happy to receive them, but added: 鈥淚鈥檓 not feeling well, and so I prefer not to read the speech but give it to you, so you can take it with you."
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope "has a bit of a cold and a long day of audiences.'' The 86-year-old pontiff 鈥漰referred to greet the European rabbis individually, and that's why he handed over his speech."
Bruni said the pope鈥檚 scheduled activities would proceed, and they did. The activities included an hour-long meeting in late afternoon in a Vatican auditorium with some 7,000 children from 84 countries.
Francis seemed at ease, chatting with kids and answering their prepared questions, including about how to make peace 鈥 鈥渆xtend your hand鈥 鈥 and about war 鈥 鈥渨ar is always cruel, and who pays the price? Children.鈥
As he sat in a chair, he shook dozens of young hands and autographed many caps and at least one sports jersey.
In his prepared speech to the rabbis, Francis said his first thought and prayers goes 鈥渁bove all else, to everything that has happened in the last few weeks," a clear reference to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, including the taking away of hostages to the Gaza Strip, and
鈥淵et again violence and war have erupted in that Land blessed by the Most High, which seems continually assailed by the vileness of hatred and the deadly clash of weapons," Francis wrote in the speech.
With France, Austria and Italy among the countries in Europe recently seeing a spate of antisemitic vandalism and slogans, Francis added: 鈥淭he spread of antisemitic demonstrations, which I strongly condemn, is also of great concern.鈥
The pontiff said believers in God are called to build 鈥渇raternity and open paths of reconciliation for all.鈥
"Not weapons, not terrorism, not war, but compassion, justice and dialogue are the fitting means for building peace,'' Francis said in the speech.
The pontiff also advocated taking steps to 鈥渟earch for our neighbor鈥 as well as acceptance and patience, and certainly not 鈥渢he brusque passion of vengeance and the folly of bitter hatred."
Francis in recent years has dealt with several health setbacks, including two and a chronic knee problem that forces him to use a wheelchair when walking longer stretches. Earlier this year, Francis was hospitalized for treatment of what but the pontiff described as a bout of pneumonia.
Just a few days ago, in an interview with Italian state TV, Francis was asked about his health. The pope replied with one of his frequent lines: 鈥淚'm still alive, you know,鈥 and also said he was going to Dubai in early December for the COP28 conference on combating climate change.
