The 85-year-old pontiff explained to his weekly general audience Wednesday that the condition prevents him from going down the steps of the Vatican audience hall to greet the pilgrims in the crowd.

He rose to international prominence for his anti-Vietnam War activism, but he was already a well-known monk before his peace efforts.

It was the latest White House effort to clear up comments the president made a day earlier when he suggested that a ‘minor incursion’ by Russia into Ukrainian territory could result in a more measured response by the U.S. and its allies.

There will be a greater emphasis on speaking directly to Americans and less time spent in the weeds with lawmakers crafting legislation, the White House says.

The newfound reef, stretching 2 miles, was studied late last year during a dive expedition supported by UNESCO.

The president says he believes that Russia is preparing to take action, though he doesn’t think the Russian president has made a final decision.