The Tablet January 25, 2021 Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Aug. 30, 2020. (Photo: CNS/Vatican Media) By John L. Allen ROME (Crux) – At least so far, media outlets and online chatter appear to be reacting to the Vatican’s latest announcement that Pope Francis has had to pull out of public events with admirable (and, frankly, atypical) calm. Saturday evening Rome time, the Vatican issued a brief statement saying the pontiff won’t preside at a Mass Jan.24 for the Sunday of the Word of God, nor will be deliver his annual address to the diplomatic corps or lead a vespers service for the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity tomorrow, due to a new flare-up of sciatica. It comes after a similar announcement Dec. 31 that the Holy Father wouldn’t take part in celebrations for News Years Eve or New Years Day, for the same reason.