Pope Francis cancels Africa trip due to knee problem

Patrick Smith and Claudio Lavanga
Filippo Monteforte

Pope Francis has cancelled a planned trip to Africa for health reasons, the Vatican said in a statement Friday.

The Pope was due to travel to the Republic of Congo and South Sudan between July 2 and 7, but will instead concentrate on ongoing therapy for his problematic right knee, according to the statement.

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“At the request of his doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee, the Holy Father has been forced to postpone, with regret,” the statement read.

The Pope, 85, joked in May that me might need some tequila to help with the pain of his troublesome knee.

This is a developing story, check back here for updates.

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