Pope Francis struggles to climb steps before weekly Vatican City audience

Pope Francis arrived in his usual fashion for the first weekly audience he held outdoors this year. While he smiled and waved, his movements appeared stiff. Photographs from Wednesday showed the 87-year-old pontiff being supported to stand and sit. Pope Francis greeted the crowd and then said today's catechesis will be read by one of my helpers because I still have a cold and cannot read well. His health is being watched by his more than 1 billion followers although this theology professor isn't worried. It's the health condition of an 87-year-old man who has had lung issues for his whole life. The Vatican hasn't said much about his health but some of his struggles are obvious. The pope can resign and has stated he would think about it when he can no longer do the job. Experts suggest if he made such a move it would be a surprise announcement so that no political maneuvering could take place. The pope has been keeping up with key meetings but it's his travel schedule abroad that Massimo Fagioli is watching. One of the factors that had a huge influence in Pope Benedict's decision to resign is inability to take long trips abroad. While nothing is on the Vatican calendar yet a potential visit to four Asian nations in August has been widely talked about. Crystal Gamansin, Global News, London.