Pope Francis appeared in public at the first event of 2021 after skipping New Year's Mass due to sciatica.

On January 1, Pope Francis presided over the traditional recitation of the Annunciation at the Apostolic Palace.

"The painful events of last year that plunge into human life, especially the epidemic, teach us to be mindful of other people's problems and to share their concerns," said Pope Francis

The Vatican announced on December 31 that Pope Francis could not celebrate New Year's Mass on New Year's Eve because he suffered from sciatica.

When Italy first blocked in March 2020, Pope Francis recited the Annunciation from the Vatican Library instead of looking out of his window overlooking St. Square.

These restrictions make the Pope say he feels "imprisoned".

In addition to old age, Pope Francis has another "risk factor" for nCoV.