Pope francesco will not be able to travel to Kiev or Moscow in the coming weeks on medical recommendation for knee problems, according to the same religious leader in an interview with a Portuguese television network.

“Now I can’t go because after the trip to Canada knee recovery suffered a little and the doctor forbade it“, the pope said in an interview with the TVI / CNN network.

The religious leader had previously expressed his intention to visit Kyiv, at the invitation of the Ukrainian authorities themselves, following his visit to Canada in July.

Nor did he provide future dates: “It’s in the air. I still don’t know,” he added, while specifying that is “in dialogue” with the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelensky, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

He stressed that three Vatican representatives have been to Kiev since the war began and that their presence there “is strong”.

“I kept in touch by phone. I do what I can. I ask all people to do what they can. Among all of them something can be done. And I accompany all that I receive with my pain and my prayers. But the situation is truly tragic, “he said.

He also supported dialogue to “go on”: “Do you know who does not know how to dialogue? Animals. They are pure instinct. If you let yourself be carried away by pure instinct … On the other hand, dialogue goes aside the institution and listening Dialogue is difficult “, explained.

The Pope’s visit to Kazakhstan from 13 to 15 September is still ongoing.

With information from EFE