On Sunday, Pope Francis apologised to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan for having to cancel his visit due to walking difficulties, and expressed hope that his condition would improve.
The Vatican announced on Thursday that the trip, scheduled for July 2-7, had been postponed indefinitely due to the 85-year-old pontiff’s knee condition, which has forced him to use a wheelchair for more than a month.
“I feel great regret that I had to postpone this trip, which I am still very keen to make,” he said at his Sunday address before thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square.
“I ask you to pardon me for this. Let us pray together that with the help of God and with medical treatment, I can come to you as soon as possible. We are hopeful,” he said, directly addressing the people and authorities of both countries.
The trip has been postponed, according to the Vatican, “in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee.”
On Sunday, he referred to his ailment, which is thought to be a torn ligament, as “leg problems.” Francis also has sciatica, which caused him to limp even before the knee problem flared up.
According to Vatican sources, the pope has been receiving several injections per week for the ailment, as well as physical therapy, and had hoped to regain at least a partial ability to walk before the trip began.
According to reports, the pope is opposed to surgery because of complications with general anaesthesia following an operation to remove part of his intestine a year ago. The pope will still visit Canada from July 24 to July 30.
He also warned his audience not to become accustomed to the conflict in Ukraine. “Let us not allow the passage of time to dull our pain and concern for those who have been martyred,” he said.