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VATICAN CITY (AP) \u2014 Pope Francis<\/a><\/span><\/span> has canceled an audience scheduled for Saturday as a precaution after suffering a mild flu, the Vatican press office said in a short statement, without adding details.<\/p>\n Francis was scheduled to meet with Rome deacons in the morning.<\/p>\n The pontiff, 87, had already been forced to cancel some of his activities in November due to breathing problems. A scan at the time ruled out lung complications. Francis had a part of one lung removed when he was young and still living in his native Argentina.<\/p>\n Last April, the pope spent three days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for what the Vatican said was bronchitis. He was discharged after receiving intravenous antibiotics.<\/p>\n Francis also spent 10 days at the same hospital in July 2021 following intestinal surgery for a bowel narrowing. He was readmitted in June 2023 for an operation<\/a> to repair an abdominal hernia and remove scarring from previous surgeries.<\/p>\n When asked about his fragile health in a recent TV interview, Francis quipped what has become his standard line: \u201cStill alive, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n