Pope’s trip to Lebanon in June postponed for health reasons: sources

Pope Francis’s planned trip to Lebanon next month has been postponed because the 85-year-old pontiff has experienced difficulty walking recently, sources said on Monday.

In recent weeks, the pope has suffered a flare-up of pain in the right knee in addition to a longtime case of sciatica, which also causes pain in the legs.

POPE FRANCIS SEEN PUBLICLY IN WHEELCHAIR FOR FIRST TIME, CITING KNEE PAIN

The June 12-13 trip had been announced by the Lebanese government. The Vatican never officially announced the trip, but Francis has referred to plans relating to it in recent interviews.

The two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss such matters, said the pope’s health was the main concern.