Vatican spokesman on Thursday said Pope Francis would miss the New year ceremonies due sciatica.
Matteo Bruni said the Pope Francis is suffering from “painful sciatica” and won’t preside at a year-end prayer service Thursday evening at St. Peter’s Basilica.
AP reports that the pope also won’t celebrate Mass on New Year’s Day in the basilica for the same reason.
Francis has suffered from the Back pain condition 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.
