Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates First Vespers and Te Deum, the rite of thanksgiving for the end of the year, in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peter’s today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates First Vespers and Te Deum, the rite of thanksgiving for the end of the year, in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peter’s today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates First Vespers and Te Deum, the rite of thanksgiving for the end of the year, in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peter’s today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates First Vespers and Te Deum, the rite of thanksgiving for the end of the year, in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peter’s today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates First Vespers and Te Deum, the rite of thanksgiving for the end of the year, in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peter’s today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates First Vespers and Te Deum, the rite of thanksgiving for the end of the year, in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peter’s today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates First Vespers and Te Deum, the rite of thanksgiving for the end of the year, in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peter’s today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2020 file photo, Pope Francis is helped by Monsignor Leoardo Sapienza as he walks down the steps to exchange holidays greeting with Vatican employees in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican. Pope Francis is skipping New Year’s ceremonies due to what the Vatican says is a painful back condition, the Vatican said Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, file)