On February 27, Pope Francis, 84, canceled a scheduled Mass for what the Vatican press office described as a “small imposition”, denying rumors that the pontiff could have hired Covid-19.
He was later seen coughing, sneezing and speaking in a hoarse voice.
Pope Francis revealed for the first time that he had sciatica (spinal disc herniation) during a press conference on board during a visit to Brazil in 2013.
“The worst thing that happened – excuse me – was a sciatica attack – seriously! – that I had in the first month, because I was sitting in an armchair to give interviews and it hurt,” said Francis at the time, when asked what was the worst part of being the Pope. “Sciatica is very painful, very painful! I don’t wish that on anyone! ”, He added.
On August 10, 2017, he announced that he was in a position to deal with the condition. The Vatican later confirmed that the Pope underwent treatment, including massages and injections twice a week to reduce leg pain.
The Pope will be replaced by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, for the New Year’s Eve Eve Mass on Thursday afternoon and the New Year’s Day Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. Pope Francis will still conduct the Angelus prayer on Friday, as planned.