Pope Francis cancels trip to Congo and South Sudan over health issues

Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair following knee treatment, on June 4, 2022 at The Vatican. © Tiziani Fabi, AFP

Pope Francis canceled a planned July trip to Africa on doctors' orders because of ongoing knee problems, the Vatican said Friday, raising further questions about the health and mobility problems of the 85-year-old pontiff.

The Vatican said the July 2-7 trip to Congo and South Sudan would be rescheduled “to a later date to be determined.”