In a notably quiet turn for Corpus Christi, the traditional public procession did not take place as anticipated. Pope Francis was unable to lead the observance because persistent knee pain restricted his ability to walk and stand, according to an official Vatican update. The day’s events were scaled back in response to the Holy See’s assessment of the pope’s condition and the liturgical needs of the celebration.
The Vatican’s note explained that, given the pope’s movement limitations and the specific liturgical requirements of the celebration, the Mass and the accompanying procession would not be solemnly celebrated in the usual manner. Instead, a Eucharistic blessing was performed in place of the typical rites associated with Corpus Christi, marking a departure from the customary public procession and the solemn Mass that often accompany the feast.
Historically, during Archbishop-level celebrations of the feast, or on occasions like Pentecost as observed on June 5, when the pontiff has chosen or been required to sit in a wheelchair, the Mass has frequently been led by senior cardinals. In the past, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, has presided from the front row and delivered or read the sermon, while the pope participated in the liturgy in a more limited capacity. This pattern has reflected a balance between the pope’s role and the need to maintain the integrity of the liturgical act in challenging circumstances.
For this event, the decision to cancel the celebratory Mass appeared to be a prudent precaution, considering the pope’s ongoing health concerns. It was noted that prior to the pandemic, Francis had in fact celebrated Mass in a parish setting on Rome’s outskirts, indicating a careful approach to public liturgical life during periods of restricted mobility or healing needs.
Complications with the right knee continued to influence scheduling, with the Vatican indicating that several upcoming engagements scheduled for early July in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan were postponed in light of medical advice. The aim was to avoid any actions that might jeopardize the progress of the treatment, particularly the knee therapies that had begun a few weeks earlier, including targeted infiltrations and rest.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni emphasized that the journey had not been canceled but postponed, noting measurable improvements in the pope’s knee pain and a diminished sense of discomfort. He also warned that undue exertion could jeopardize the gains already achieved and could set back the overall healing trajectory. The careful calculus reflected a broader strategy to preserve the pope’s health while still keeping the faithful informed about forthcoming plans.
A few days earlier, during a meeting with Italian bishops, Francis conveyed a personal preference against surgery, expressing a willingness to continue with injections as a treatment approach. This stance was reported by the paper Il Messaggero, which outlined the pope’s ongoing commitment to non-surgical measures in the hope of restoring mobility and reducing pain while allowing him to fulfill limited duties when feasible.