Pope to miss three upcoming events due to sciatic leg pain

Pope Francis will miss three religious events on in the coming days due to his sciatica condition that causes severe pain in his leg. 

The Vatican announced the Pope’s change of plans on Saturday, Reuters reported. He is going to miss one event on Jan. 24 and two events on Jan. 25. 

He was scheduled to participate in two religious ceremonies, leading a Mass on Sunday at Saint Peter’s Basilica and attending a vespers service Monday at a church in Rome. He was also slated to speak at an annual address to a diplomatic corps on Monday. It will be postponed to a later date, according to the wire service. 

The pope has suffered from sciatica for some time, but he has not missed many events due to the condition, which affects the sciatic nerve and causes pain from the lower back to the leg. 

The 84-year-old Pope also missed a religious service over the New Year’s holiday due to pain from the condition.  

Francis attends physical therapy for his condition, which does cause him to have trouble walking on occasions, according to Reuters. 

Pope Francis sent a message to President Biden on his Inauguration Day, saying he would be praying for Biden and for God to help heal the divisions in America.