He said, “Sometimes it starts in a joint with osteoarthritis. Other joints deteriorate when they are overloaded.” “We want to ensure that this doesn’t happen again and that things improve.”
Villalon stated that he was approached by the Apostolic Nunciature of Spain and the Spanish bishops conference. They “asked a group specialists if they could help the pope.”
Pope Francis, who will be turning 86 next month has alternated between a wheelchair or a walking cane from May to date.
The pope revealed to journalists earlier this month that he was experiencing “a lot” of pain on a flight from Bahrain. Pope Francis has previously cancelled public appearances due to knee problems, including a planned trip to Africa in July.
Villalon stated that he was initially “nervous” when he first spoke with the pope. But that he and the pope became close because “he loves soccer.”
The pope specifically expressed his affection for Atletico de Madrid striker Angel Correa, an Argentine soccer star who used to play at the San Lorenzo soccer team in Buenos Aires.
