Pope Francis will not give New Year's masses for sciatica

Comments from the pope after the abortion law in Argentina 1:19

(CNN) ––

Pope Francis will not direct the New Year celebrations at the Vatican due to sciatica, the Vatican said in a statement Thursday.

This is the first time the pope has missed the events of New Years or Christmas.

However, it is not the first celebration that he has stopped attending.

• LEE: Pope Francis asks countries to share the coronavirus vaccine during his Christmas message

On February 27, Pope Francis, 84, canceled a scheduled mass due to what the Vatican Press Office described as a "slight indisposition."

And he denied rumors that the pontiff had contracted covid-19.

Subsequently, he was seen coughing, sneezing and speaking in a hoarse voice.

Pope Francis first revealed that he had sciatica, at an airplane press conference, during a visit to Brazil in 2013. This condition is a herniated spinal disc.

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“The worst thing that happened to me –– excuse me–– was an attack of sciatica –– really! –– that I had the first month.

Because I was sitting in an armchair to do interviews and it hurt, ”Francisco said at the time.

This was his response when asked what the worst part of being a pope was.

Sciatica is very painful, very painful!

I do not wish it to anybody! ”, Added.

Pope Francis gave his Christmas message without an audience 2:17

On August 10, 2017, Francisco announced that he could deal with the condition.

Later, the Vatican confirmed that the pope underwent treatment, which included massages and injections twice a week.

This to reduce pain in the legs.

The pope will be replaced for the New Year's Eve service by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.

Meanwhile, the New Year's Mass will be celebrated by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin.

Pope Francis will lead the Angelus prayer on Friday, as scheduled.

New Years Pope FrancisVatican