Pope Francis’ right knee is a cause for concern. The 85-year-old prelate has an inflamed knee ligament and has already had to cancel several appointments. The chance of surgery is high.
Last week, when Pope Francis was supposed to chair the annual meeting of women religious, he was wheeled into the Paolo VI hall in the Vatican. The first time it became clear that the Pope’s knee problems are more serious than previously believed. The prelate had previously canceled some obligations and a week earlier, by order of his attending physician, he had also sat down for the weekly audience. “There’s a problem with this leg, it’s not doing it right,” he told the faithful. “The doctor has told me not to walk. I would like to come to you, but this time I have to listen to the doctor.”
Pope Francis has an inflammation in his right knee that, according to doctors, is largely due to hip problems that the 85-year-old Pope has had for years. Due to his somewhat rocking gait, he puts too much weight on his right knee, which has become overloaded as a result. The inflamed knee ligament comes on top of the pre-existing osteoarthritis, a common ailment of old age. During his last trip to Malta, Franciscus visibly limped and he has not been able to kneel for a long time, because he can no longer do it.
no benefit
An operation would be logical, but the doctors try to prevent it, also because Pope Francis himself does not seem to want it. The papal knee is currently being treated with injections and the pope himself is required to keep absolute rest, which he adheres with difficulty. There are no results for the time being. “The knee ligament is healing slowly,” Francis told the Argentine newspaper last week La Nacion† “At this age you should be happy that they tell you that you are well preserved.” Pope Francis will turn 86 in December.
If the treatments do not help at all, then there is talk of placing a prosthesis. A relatively routine operation that would have put Pope Francis out of action for at least two weeks. But that choice seems a long way off for now.
Holy
The Vatican insists the Pope’s health will not affect his program. The planned trips to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo will continue as usual in July and the planned, but not yet confirmed, trips to Kazakhstan and Canada are still in the planning.
Pope Francis will also simply lead the canonization of Dutch Father Titus Brandsma next Sunday. For the first time in fifteen years, a Dutchman will be canonized on St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
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