Pope appears in better health, praises Israeli and Arab fathers who both lost daughters in conflict

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis appeared in better health on Wednesday, walking into the Vatican audience hall on his own with a cane for his weekly general audience and delivering his prepared text with a clear voice.

The encounter was Francis' first public event since Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, when he decided at the last minute to skip his homily, avoiding the speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly fragile health.

In recent weeks, the 87-year-old Pontiff has often shown increased difficulties in walking, has asked an aide to read aloud his remarks and has been heard breathing heavily during public events.

The Holy Week schedule is challenging for popes even under the best of circumstances. But that is especially true this year for Francis, who has been battling on and off all winter what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold.

As Francis discussed the virtue of patience during his Wednesday audience, he renewed his appeal for peace and an immediate stop in ongoing conflicts.

Pope Francis is hugged by a child during the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The pope also noted that there were two people in the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall — “two fathers” — and that one was Palestinian, the other Israeli.

He said that both of them had lost their daughters over the course of the Middle East conflict, “and they are both friends.”

“They do not look at the enmity of war,” Francis said. “They look to the friendship of two men who care about each other and have experienced the same crucifixion.”

The Vatican press office said Bassam Aramin's daughter Abir was killed in 2007 by an Israeli soldier as she left school; Rami Elhanan's daughter Smadar was killed in 1997 in an attack in Jerusalem.

The two men’s story of friendship was told in the novel “Apeirogon” by Colum McCann, a winner of the Terzani Prize who met with Francis during an audience with artists on June 23, 2023.

“Let us think of the beautiful witness of these two people who have suffered the war in the Holy Land in the loss of their daughters,” the pope said.

Francis met with both men in private before the general audience and then warmly greeted the two men at the end.

Pope Francis greets faithful during the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul VI hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul VI hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul VI hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul VI hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

LUTON, England (AP) — Luton got a valuable point in its fight to avoid relegation after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with visiting Everton in the English Premier League on Friday.

Will it be too little, too late?

Luton remained third to last, below 17th-placed Nottingham Forest only on goal difference. Luton has two games left. Everton has already guaranteed its survival.

Everton took the initiative when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from the penalty spot after 24 minutes.

A video review ruled Teden Mengi held Jarrad Branthwaite, and Calvert-Lewin notched his fourth goal in his last five appearances.

Luton bounced back quickly thanks to Elijan Adebayo. The striker scored five in five games before he was injured in February, and almost three months out did not seem to have affected his eye for goal. In his first start since returning, Adebayo collected his 10th goal of the season.

Luton substitute Andros Townsend saw his shot blocked on the line in the dying seconds as the home side pushed men forward in a desperate bid for a winner that could save its season.

“We threw everything at it,” Luton coach Rob Edwards told the BBC. “We were pushing until the end and that is us. We’ve been like that all season.

“We threw everything at it so I am disappointed right now,. But I can’t fault the players. The players gave it absolutely everything, so did the supporters.

“We’re still in the mix and the fight, we’ve got to keep believing.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Luton Town's Elijah Adebayo, left, scores during the English Premier League soccer match between Luton Town and Everton at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Friday May 3, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Everton's Ben Godfrey, left, and Luton Town's Alfie Doughty in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Luton Town and Everton at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Friday May 3, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Luton Town's Alfie Doughty, left, and Everton's Jack Harrison in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Luton Town and Everton at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Friday May 3, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)