Among Pope Francis’ activities for the day was a meeting with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and those participating in a Christmas contest.

Pope Francis has cancelled his audiences because of a “slight flu-like state” just days before he is to embark on a trip to Belgium and Luxembourg

The Vatican confirmed that plans remain in place for Pope Francis to go to Belgium and Luxembourg later this week, despite having canceled all his audiences Monday because of a “slight flu-like state.

Pope Francis canceled a meeting Monday with the members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences after suffering from "mild flu-like" conditions, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis canceled all scheduled audiences on Monday due to a "slight flu-like state," the Vatican confirmed. Despite the precautionary move, officials assured that plans for the 87-year-old to visit Belgium and Luxembourg later this week remain unchanged.

Pope Francis will press ahead with plans to travel to Luxembourg and Belgium later this week, despite cancelling his meetings for Monday due to a mild flu, the Vatican said. The tour, his 46th foreign visit as pope,

Francis, 87, is scheduled to visit Belgium and Luxembourg soon, trips that come within weeks of his returning from a grueling Asia-Pacific tour.