Pope Francis is helped down the steps during a prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 29, 2019. Recurring bouts of sciatica, a painful back ailment, often mean the pope needs assistance walking up and down steps. (CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters) Pope Francis is suffering from “a painful sciatica” and has cancelled his participation both at First Vespers and the singing of the “Te Deum” in St. Peter’s Basilica this evening, Dec. 31, as well as at the Mass for the World Day of Peace on Jan. 1, the Vatican press office director, Matteo Bruni stated at noon today.