After his recent trip to Canada, Pope Francis is pooped out, lamenting that he can no longer travel like he used to. Not to denigrate the Bishop of Rome, but his plight offers a helpful lesson to all of us on preventive care.
Pope Francis Will Limit Travel As He Faces Physical Ailments – Offering A Great Reminder To All Of Us
I’m not a doctor and I’m not a nutritionist. I don’t even speak specifically to what led to the Pope’s ailments, rather than reflect upon the predicament he is now in.
Speaking on the papal aircraft, Francis told reporters that his recent trip was a “test” and that it showed him he must slow down. The Pope has been forced to use a wheelchair in recent months due to an ongoing strained knee ligament.
Will he resign?
“I don’t think I can move at the same pace of travel as before. I think that at my age and with this limitation, I have to cut back a little bit to be able to serve the Church or, on the contrary, think about the possibility of stepping aside. This is nothing strange. This is not a catastrophe. You can change the pope. You can change, no problem. But I think I have to limit myself a little bit with these efforts.”
Surely, Francis would stipulate that good health is a gift from above, but the human body we are entrusted with can wear down faster than necessary when we abuse or neglect it.
When it is our time to suffer or time to die, it is our time…ironically sometimes those who we thought were the healthiest are the ones who drop dead when we least expect it. Even so, most can enjoy a longer and higher quality of life…which includes extended years of travel…by exercising, eating right, and getting enough sleep…small daily lifestyle choices that make a world of difference.
That may not have been Francis’ problem, but it is a huge problem for many people I hold near and dear to my heart.
So a simple admonition for you today: get up and move. Choose healthy food over junk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Go on a walk. Hit the gym. Sit in a sauna. Sleep.
It’s not rocket science. Our bodies are resilient, but they can only take so much wear and tear.
CONCLUSION
Seeing the any person relegated to a wheelchair is a sad thing. While sometimes we cannot prepare for what happens as we age, the Pope reminds us that by more preventative care, exercise, and healthy eating we can continue to travel the world well into our 80’s and beyond. That’s one of my goals…travel till I die. It appears the Pope won’t be traveling much any longer.
image: Catholic News Agency
If there really was a God, do you think they/he/him/she/it would confine the holiest on earth to a wheelchair?
Yes.
Not a big deal considering it’s the same god that gives children cancer, if such a deity exist it’s a despicable one.
Not necessarily. The system of DNA and stuff was created. DNA sometimes goes awry causing cancer. However, DNA needs to be flexible so it can work. Also sometimes viruses results in cancer but viruses is life, too, albeit RNA or DNA.
So…still God’s fault.
I remember when I had broken my leg after getting hit by a drunk driver but still had to go on a business trip. It was terrible. I can sort-of relate to how the Pope feels and he’s gotta do what’s best for his body and hope that he remains healthy.
The odds of being able to travel into your 80s without assistance are low. Average life expectancy is only in the low 70s. And the number of people who do live longer usually have health issues. When I was your age I was more naïve but now I am in my 50s and see the reality of aging I realize how rare the nimble and well traveled 80+ yr old is.
I’ve had grandparents that lived to 100+ and were mostly mentally fine but had other issues. My father was fairly healthy and a regular gym goer into his early 80s but within a year had back issues and sadly passed away at 84. At 82 I would have expected him to follow his mother and lived another decade or more.
Eating and exercising well help but the odds are against you. Enjoy life now since there is no guarantee you can do so tomorrow.
I see 4 major classes of problems.
1. bad diet causing obesity or diabetes, which can cause vascular problems that can lead to heart attack, cirrhosis of the liver, dementia, etc.
2. over use such as pounding of the joints from too much exercise or from too much weight. Similar to this is trauma, like gunshot wounds and car accidents. Retinal detachment is sometimes physical, too.
3. attack by bears, dogs, viruses, bacteria, etc.
4. bad genes which might result in cancer, etc.
Of course, not everything fits into this scheme.
I disagree with “when it’s our time, it’s our time”. NOOO!
In the Middle Ages, men died at age 35 or 40. Women died at age 45 unless they died at age 17 from childbirth. In those days, everything was “natural”, no such thing as insulin or blood pressure control or antibiotics. So natural is not better. Natural means you die at age 35-45, if not at age 17. Some kids died at age 4.
Stay tuned for a follow-up post: “Lessons from Joe Chivas on Healthy Travel”
This Pope is horrible.
One of the reasons I “save” miles and points vice “earn and burn”. I and my back and my veins (DVT risk) appreciate a lay-flat seat much more in my 60’s than I did when I was younger.