Pope Francis' health after 10 years in the job: slower steps, same determination

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis leaves laughs with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, at the Sakhir Palace south of Manama, Bahrain, November 3, 2022. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Ten years ago when he became the first pope from Latin America, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had a spritely step and a slimmer girth.

Today Pope Francis, 86, is using a cane and a wheelchair because of a persistent knee ailment and his waistline has noticeably increased due to a more sedentary lifestyle in the Vatican that began even before his leg problem.