Pope Francis had to cancel public appearances again due to neuropathic pain.
Francis will not participate in three events scheduled in the coming days “because of a recurrence of sciatica,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement on Saturday.
The 84-year-old Pope will continue on Saturday with the Angelus, delivered from the Apostolic Library in place of a window next to St. prayer service in the Basilica of San Pablo every other week. Nor will he chair the meeting with the diplomatic corps at the Holy See that was scheduled to take place Monday and which will be rescheduled, the Vatican said.
Neuropathic pain also forced the Pope to miss the New Year’s ceremonies in St. Peter’s Basilica.
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Francisco’s worsening sciatica raises questions about his planned March 3-8 trip to Iraq, a visit that had already been questioned due to the pandemic.
Papal journeys are arduous in all circumstances, with countless daily events, long masses, reception lines, and multiple journeys by car and plane.
Francisco has spoken publicly about his sciatica, a type of low back pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs from the spine to the thighs.