Also the vestments can be heavy and full. So sometimes the people beside him are just keeping the long robes out of his way as he goes up and down steps. Kinda like bridesmaids.
If you watch other formal liturgies (Mass, Benediction,etc.) with your own bishop or other bishops and previous popes, you’ll often see the same thing - one or two deacons on either side helping him manage the long, heavy vestments or possible keep his balance on marble or waxed wood altar steps.
Pope Francis seems vigorous and healthy for a man his age. My fil is the same age and still goes to the gym, hikes, etc. so I see Pope Francis as having a similar level of health. On the other hand, I was saddened to see how frail pope emeritus Benedict had become at the time of his resignation, and in the brief video released on Saturday.
