Vatican. The pope’s pilgrimage to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan has been postponed. Francis apologizes

The trip is scheduled for July 2-7 Pope Francis To the Democratic Republic of the Congo i Sudan South has been postponed to a later date, it announced Friday Vatican. It was explained that the Pope made this decision on the advice of doctors.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican’s press office, told reporters: “The Holy Father must sadly postpone his apostolic visit to Congo and the Southern Democratic Republic, at the request of physicians not to underestimate the results of the ongoing knee treatment. Sudan is scheduled for a new date, July 2-7. It will be determined “.

On Sunday, the pope himself commented on the postponement of his trip to Africa. – I’m so sorry I had to postpone this trip I still want to do – he said in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. – I apologize for this. With the help of God and thanks for the treatment, let us pray together that I will come to you as soon as possible. We are confident, he addressed directly to the people and officials of both countries.

Pope has been in a wheelchair for a long time due to a serious knee problem. On Sunday, Francis described his condition as “probably a problem with his leg,” with tendon rupture. Franciszek suffers from sciatica, which left him paralyzed even before his knee-related illnesses.

See also: Pope Francis joked that “little tequila” could help with his knee problems.

According to Vatican sources quoted by Reuters, the pope receives several injections a week and is undergoing physical therapy. According to sources, Francis hoped to gain at least some walking skills before embarking on the journey.

The company later added that the pope did not agree to the surgery due to general anesthesia problems Surgery to remove a portion of the bowel a year ago.

The Pope’s plans include a visit CanadaThis is expected to happen by the end of July.