A flare-up of sciatica has caused Pope Francis to cancel several appearances in the coming days.

These were the first such suicide bombings since June 2019 and came on the eve of the pope’s planned visit to the country on March 5-8, a visit that now is under serious question.

In a message to the second Catholic president, Pope Francis prayed that Joe Biden would work to heal the divisions in U.S. society and promote human dignity and peace around the globe.

The Australian government’s international financial watchdog, Austrac, said it overestimated bank transfers from Vatican City to Australia over the past six years by more than $1.5 billion dollars.

Both Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI have received the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 after the Vatican started vaccinating its employees and residents Jan. 13.

Pope Francis is “deeply concerned” about the situation in the United States and is praying for peace and harmony in the country.

In a wide-ranging interview, Pope Francis said he was “astounded” at disorder at the U.S. Capitol. He also said he would get the Covid-19 vaccine next week and that “everyone should be vaccinated.”

Pope Francis is suffering from “a painful sciatica.”

Two cardinals who work closely with Pope Francis tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday. The pope’s test came back negative, the Italian news agency ANSA reported today.

The United Nations General Assembly decided unanimously that Feb. 4 be observed each year as the International Day of Human Fraternity, starting in 2021.