Pope Francisc

Francis (Latin: Franciscus PP.), Until his election Jorge Mario Bergolio - Pope of March 13 apologized to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan for having to cancel his visit because of pain in the right knee limited his ability to walk, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.

The Vatican announced on Thursday that the July 2nd-7th trip has been postponed indefinitely due to the 85-year-old pontiff's knee disease, which has forced him to use a wheelchair for more than a month.

"I am very sorry to have to postpone this trip, which I still have a great desire to make," he said in a Sunday address to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.

"Please excuse me for this.

Let us pray together that, with God's help and medical treatment, I can come to you as soon as possible.

We hope so, "he said, addressing the people and authorities of both countries directly.

The Vatican said on Thursday that the trip had been postponed so as not to jeopardize the results of the pope's treatment of his knee.

On Sunday, he referred to his illness, which is thought to be a broken relationship, as "problems with my leg".

Francis also suffers from sciatica, which crippled him before he had a knee problem.

The pope gave rise to new speculations about his future

Pope Francisc