VATICAN CITY (Reuters] – Pope Francis was not present at the Saturday evening Easter Vigil service at St. Peter’s Basilica, but he did attend. It is believed that he has been suffering from recurring leg pain and had to cut back on some other activities.

The pope was replaced by the Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. This involved a procession through near total darkness to the center nave of Christendom’s largest church.

In a white, large chair with a siderest, the pope was seen sitting in the middle of the basilica. He appeared alert. He would then read the Mass homily, according to Vatican.

Sciatica is a condition that causes sciatica in Pope Francis, 85. This results in severe leg pain and a limp. Francis has also experienced a sudden flare-up of right-side knee pain.

This condition seems to change.

Although he had to restrain some movements on a Malta trip at the beginning of April, he was able to complete the whole aisle in good health Friday afternoon at Good Friday’s service at the basilica.