This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
On Sunday, Pope Francis made a surprise appearance at his study window overlooking Saint Peter's Square, but he was late to his weekly Angelus prayer. The 82-year-old pontiff explained that he had been stuck in a Vatican elevator for 25 minutes, causing a seven-minute delay.
Francis was freed by firemen after a power outage caused the elevator to stop. He thanked the fire service, prompting cheers and applause from the crowd.
Italian television networks had been concerned that the delay might be due to health reasons, but Francis seems to have unlimited energy despite his age. He lost part of a lung in his youth and has occasional sciatic pain.
Francis's unexpected delay was the first time the Vatican's head of state has gotten stuck in a lift. In 2015, two nuns were trapped in a lift in Rome for three days without food and water.
After his rescue, Francis announced the creation of 13 new cardinals, including 10 possible future popes. The newcomers hail from around the world, reflecting the pontiff's efforts to build a more diverse college of cardinals.
Francis also used the occasion to highlight his concerns about the environment, calling on individuals to make changes to their daily habits to combat climate change. He praised young climate activists and looked forward to the upcoming UN Climate Action Summit in New York.
