VATICAN CITY – #Pope #Francis is skipping #New #Year’s ceremonies due to what the #Vatican says is a painful back condition, a spokesman said #Thursday.
#Matteo #Bruni said #Francis is suffering from “painful sciatica” and won’t preside at a year-end prayer service #Thursday evening in #St. #Peter’s #Basilica. The pope also won’t celebrate #Mass on #New #Year’s #Day in the basilica for the same reason.
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#Francis has suffered from the problem in the past. #Sciatica can cause back and leg pain and is due to compression on nerve roots or on the sciatic nerve which runs from the lower spine down the thigh.
#Despite the back pain, #Bruni said #Francis will deliver his scheduled #New #Year’s blessing during an appearance at noon #Friday in the library of the #Apostolic #Palace.
#To discourage crowds in #St. #Peter’s #Square during a COVID-19 surge in #Italy, #Francis lately has moved his weekly and holiday blessing appearances to inside the #Vatican instead of greeting faithful from a palace window overlooking the square.
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The #Thursday evening #Vespers service and the #Friday #Mass will go ahead but will be presided over by #Vatican cardinals.
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