Pope Francis had to cancel public presentations again due to neuropathic pain.
Francis will not take part in three events scheduled for the next few days “due to a recurrence of sciatica,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement on Saturday.
The 84-year-old pontiff will proceed with the Angelus on Saturday, delivered from the Apostolic Library instead of a window next to St. Peter’s Square, due to the resurgence of viruses, but will not officiate Mass in the Vatican Basilica Sunday or 1 night prayer service in St. Paul’s Basilica to close the week. He will also not chair a meeting with the diplomatic corps at the Holy See that was to be held on Monday and will be rescheduled, the Vatican said.
Neuropathic pains also forced Pope to miss New Year’s ceremonies at St. Peter’s Basilica.
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The sharpening of Francisco’s sciatica raises questions about his planned trip from March 3 to 8 to Iraq, a visit that had already been questioned due to the pandemic.
Papal travels are arduous in any circumstance, with numerous daily events, long masses, reception queues, and multiple car and plane rides.
Francisco has spoken publicly about his sciatica, a type of pain in the lower back caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve that extends from the spine to the thighs.