by Chi Ibe

You know this is very easily our favourite pope in a generation, right? The Catholic leader who takes selfies, carries his own bad (a big deal if you know how these things work) and kisses a man with terrible boils across his face, has fallen ill this week.

According to Reuters, “Pope Francis has cancelled several audiences on Friday due to flu, the first time his health has affected his role as the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.”

The wellbeing of the 76-year-old Pope is under close scrutiny because of the shocking resignation of his predecessor Benedict in February, who said his health was declining.

A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said Francis had cancelled several meetings with cardinals and bishops on Friday morning, but would still take part in the ordination of a bishop in the afternoon.

He, however, said “there is no reason for worry.”