Pope Francis will not travel to Scotland for the UN's climate conference, the Vatican has confirmed.
The 84-year-old has previously said he hoped to attend COP26 in Glasgow next month but it would depend on "how I feel at the time".
He has recently undergone colon surgery in Rome.
On Friday, the Vatican said its delegation would be led instead by Cardinal Parolin, its secretary of state.
The Bishops' Conference of Scotland said they would continue to keep Pope Francis in their prayers.
The climate summit is due to be held at the Scottish Exhibition Campus in Glasgow from 31 October until 12 November.
Pope Francis was expected to be among about 120 world leaders due to attend the event to lay out plans to cut emissions causing climate change.
Organisers have confirmed that the summit will be attended by the Queen, and US President Joe Biden has said he is "anxious" to be there.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-58842535
COP26 Glasgow: Cardinal Parolin to attend on behalf of Holy See
The
Director of the Holy See Press Office announces that Cardinal Secretary
of State Pietro Parolin will travel to Glasgow, Scotland, to represent
the Holy See at the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26).
Mr. Bruni said, “I can specify that the delegation will be led by His
Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness.”
