Pope Francis leaves the Paul VI Hall at the end of an audience with Vatican employees for Christmas greetings in Vatican City, Vatican, Dec.
21, 2020. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) VATICAN CITY (AP) - A back condition has forced Pope Francis to skip New Year's ceremonies at St.
Peter's Basilica, a Vatican spokesman said Thursday. Francis was suffering from "painful sciatica" and could not preside at an hour-long, year-end prayer service Thursday evening, spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
The pope also won't celebrate Mass in the basilica on New Year's Day for the same reason, he said.Francis has spoken openly about his sciatica in the past.