“Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome,” the 86-year-old pontiff said at his weekly audience, held indoors in the Vatican’s Paul IV hall.

He said an aide would read the main text in his place, “since I am still not well with this flu and (my) voice is not nice”.

Yesterday, the Vatican said Francis would no longer embark on his planned three-day trip to Dubai, starting on Friday, on doctor’s recommendations.

“Although the Holy Father’s general clinical condition has improved with regard to the flu and inflammation of the respiratory tract, doctors have asked the pope not to make the trip,” a statement said.

Francis, who has trouble walking due to a knee ailment and sometimes uses a wheelchair, arrived at his audience today walking, aided by a cane.

He was greeted in the packed audience hall by applause and chants of “Viva il papa”.