ROME (AP) — Pope Francis skipped an annual procession to a Roman basilica on Thursday as he takes it easy ahead of a jam-packed trip to southern Italy this weekend.

The Vatican has denied media speculation that the 77-year-old Francis is sick. News reports have zeroed in on the fact that Francis, who only has one full lung, canceled his general audiences for July. Francis canceled his weekly general audiences in July last year as well, as have popes for years during the hot summer months.