Title Pope's visit cut short due to breathing difficulties

The pope's planned visit to Edinburgh this week has been cut short due to breathing difficulties, according to reports. The Associated Press reports that the 82-year-old pontiff is suffering from acute laryngitis and a slight fever, leading doctors to advise him not to travel.

Pope Benedict XVI had been scheduled to speak at an open-air Mass in front of more than 100,000 people before flying back to Rome. His flight was expected to take off tomorrow evening.

The pope has cut short previous trips due to respiratory ailments, including a trip to Mexico and Cuba last year. But this is the first time he's had to cancel plans because of illness since taking the papal throne in 2005. He suffered from sciatica during his first few months as pope.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi says doctors are monitoring Benedict's condition, which is improving. The Associated Press reports that Lombardi declined to say whether Benedict would need antibiotics or if he'd have to be hospitalized. Lombardi also said the pope had been receiving oxygen from a mask over his nose and mouth at times.

The Vatican has cancelled all events related to Benedict's visit.

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