Pope Francis said on Wednesday January 26 that he suffered from a “
knee problem
” which prevented him from going down to greet the faithful at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
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“
Today I will not be able to come among you to greet you because I have a problem with my right leg, a ligament in my knee is inflamed
,” the 85-year-old Argentinian Jesuit explained during a rare public speaking about his state of health.
"
It's temporary, it seems that it happens to the elderly, I don't know why it happens to me
," he joked, provoking the laughter of the faithful present in the Paul VI room.
Nine years at the head of the Vatican
Contrary to his habit, the pope therefore did not come to greet the pilgrims massed behind the barriers in the front row but gave his blessing seated on a chair.
François, who will complete his nine-year pontificate in March, suffers from chronic hip pain that makes him limp and underwent a delicate colon operation in July.
His state of health is regularly the subject of rumors in the Vatican, especially among his detractors.
During the audience, the pope also prayed for peace in Ukraine and called for not condemning children based on their sexual orientation.
Referring to “
parents who discover different sexual orientations in their children
”, the pope prayed to “
help them not to take refuge in an attitude of condemnation
”.
