This is how the Pope tends to conclude his Wednesday General Audiences.
He makes his way down the steps to greet some of the pilgrims present, among them newlyweds and the sick.
But this time, Pope Francis said he would not go down to the crowd, but instead, have pilgrims come up to him. He explained the reason for this change.
POPE FRANCIS
'And I would like to tell you that today I won't be able to pass among you all to greet you, because I have a problem with my right leg. I have an inflamed ligament in my knee. But I will come down and greet you. And you will come up and say hello.'
The Pope has had trouble walking for a long time, and he needs help kneeling and going up and down stairs. It's a difficult situation, but nothing seems to dampen Pope Francis' sense of humor.
POPE FRANCIS
'It's something that passes. They say this only happens to old people, so I don't know why it's happening to me but...I don't know.'
At the end of the audience, the discomfort in his knee was evident. In fact, the Pope seemed to have trouble standing during the “Our Father.” But this didn't keep him from greeting pilgrims and showing them his closeness.
JRB
TR: CT
