The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but not when he is sick.

The Vatican released a statement this morning saying that due to a painful sciatica, Pope Francis would not attend the Vespers in St. Peters today and the 9gmt Mass tomorrow morning as scheduled. (Fabio Frustaci/pool via AP)VATICAN CITY – A back condition has forced Pope Francis to skip New Year’s ceremonies at St. Peter's Basilica, a Vatican spokesman said Thursday. The pope also won’t celebrate Mass in the basilica n New Year’s Day for the same reason, he said. A Vatican cardinal filling in for him read it aloud during the evening vespers service. Instead, the pope cited the oft-told Gospel parable of the good Samaritan, and gave it a pandemic twist.