Pope Francis sick a day after supporting coronavirus sufferers

Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has fallen sick a day after he expressed solidarity with people suffering from coronavirus.

The indisposition has seen the Pope cancel a mass he was meant to celebrate at the St. John Lateran basilica.

Vatican official revealed that the Pope will continue with the rest of his work on Thursday but “preferred to stay near Santa Marta”.

The nature of his illness has not been specified by Vatican but he was seen coughing and holding his nose during the Ash Wednesday ceremony Mass.

Speaking at the St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, the Pope expressed solidarity with those suffering from coronavirus.

“I wish, again, to express my closeness to those who are ill with coronavirus and to health-care workers who are caring for them,” he said.

He was later seen shaking hands with people in the crowd and even kissed bishops and a baby.

About 12 persons have died with over 400 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Italy already.