Pope Francis revealed that his doctor told him not to walk due to the knee problem that has been bothering him in recent weeks.
POPE FRANCIS
There is a problem, this leg is not okay. It doesn't work.
The doctor told me not to walk. I like walking around, but this time I have to obey the doctor.
The Pope shared the information in a meeting with a group of Slovaks on pilgrimage in Rome, and apologized for not getting up to greet them.
In their meeting, Pope Francis spoke about his trip to Slovakia last September, and asked that the pilgrims continue to extend the same welcome they gave him to the refugees coming into Slovakia from Ukraine.
POPE FRANCIS
Looking into their eyes you are witnesses to how war commits violence against family bonds, it deprives children of their father's presence, of school, and it leaves grandparents abandoned. I urge you to continue praying and working for peace, that is built in daily life and in these acts of charitable welcome.
While speaking on welcome, Pope Francis shared that the carpet used on the stage during his visit to a Romani community in Slovakia had been cut up and distributed to families in the neighborhood as welcome mats.
Although the Pope stayed seated to greet the pilgrims at the end of their meeting, he walked off stage to roaring applause.
JM
