Jan 25, 2021 catholic news service Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Jan. 24, 2021. (Credit: CNS photo/Vatican Media.) Unable to preside over Mass on the Sunday of the Word of God because of a recurring bout of sciatica, Pope Francis's homily was read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, which coordinates the annual celebration. ROME — Unable to preside over Mass on the Sunday of the Word of God because of a recurring bout of sciatica, Pope Francis’s homily was read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, which coordinates the annual celebration.