Pope conducts duties in wheelchair due to knee pain, says Vatican

Pope uses wheelchair in public for first time since recent flare up knee pain began (Twitter)

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis used a wheelchair in public for the first time since the recurrence of his knee pain, which has limited his ability to walk.

While greeting a group of nuns in the Vatican's general audience hall, Pope Francis, 85, was wheeled to his seat on the stage, where he was helped out of the wheelchair and onto his seat by an aide.

Because of the pain affecting his right knee, the Pope has had to cancel or postpone activities several times over the past month.

A Vatican source said the Pope is not planning to make any changes to his schedule over the next few weeks, but the wheelchair would likely become a familiar sight.

Pope Francis is due to visit Lebanon in June, followed by South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Canada in July.

Last month over Easter, he attended, but did not conduct, masses in St. Peter's Basilica. Instead, he delegated an archbishop or cardinal to conduct Mass, while he sat through the service, and also read his homily while seated.

Earlier this year, the Pope said his doctors would be giving him regular injections to help the movement of his joints.

He is also suffering from sciatica, which causes pain in the leg and has left him walking with a limp.