@John Fritz Logan -That's what alot of sites I read are strongly speculating. If that is the root reason, GOOD!! EXCELLENT!! I don't think he would cancel an ancient tradition like that for no grave reason, especially how much he enjoyed taking the bus with the Curia and going to a retreat house outside Rome and sitting on the benches like everyone else. THAT was pretty bad!!
But I do think it has everything to do with his declining health.....which is much more than just his knee.

Also he's not participating in the Ash Wednesday procession from San Anselmo to Santa Sabina, or participating in Ash Wednesday Mass. It really doesn't matter that he's not going to be part of the Ash Wednesday Procession. No one came out to see him in 2020, the very last time he officiated in the procession.
If you look on Youtube and type in "John XXIII Ash Wednesday Procession", or even Paul VI Ash Wednesday Procession 1964", you'll see that along the route, tens of thousands of Romans came out to see the Pope and join in. IN 2020, with Franis limping along the route, it would not be a nasty comment to say only about 50 people were along the route here and there. No joke. Good Riddance, Francis.

@John Fritz Logan -Thank you very much!! I read a lot of sites that hint strongly that the reason why Bergoglio is not going to the retreat, or Ash Wednesday is his bad health. If he had kept the retreat for the Curia, but not participated himself, there would have been even more gossip about his health anyway. It's a shame he decided to take the mean route and cancel it for everyone. And they did all but admit his no-show for Ash Wednesday is because of health. Yet he's going to Africa end of the month. I would not be surprised if he gets sick there, and they make a quick return to Rome. I like reading your posts as well!

@John Fritz Logan Hi..Brother!! how are you??? even though we don't have many talking..but I always hope you and all your family, lovely people are always happy, healthy....I really, really hope this crazy Old Man's time fast gone....if, if this Old man will staying longer to Papacy...I am sure...we will have much huge damage...so horrible!!! .I think..Bergoglio will dose not saying about Retire...and want stay longer...until his die...Orthodox Cardinals will must have action!!! need to Abdication!!! this man lost himself to Papacy!!!!! any more to Pope!!! just crazy Tyrant!! we don't need any more this Tyrant!!! Orthodox Cardinals will remove him....even though I am not sure...and very hard...but I really hope it..and Orthodox Catholic People are must saying about Abdication!!!! we don't need any more pray for this crazy Tyrant!!!! I really hope Lord will choose your great Archbishop...Eminence Cardinal Eijk to Pope...or like Muller, Burke, Sarah, Erdo will be great too.....or another Orthodox Cardinal will elect to Pope...so great!!!! just Lord knows....many talking sorry....our Lord Sacred Heart of Jesus blessed always you and all your family...all lovely people...Holy Mary, All Angels and Saints..pray for us...Amen...take care!!^^

@Kenjiro M. Yoshimori thanks for your comment!! Kenjiro!!! always, always see your great opinion..I am very, very happy....and learning a lot...just I always sorry I many annoying to you....really, really hope Bergoglio's time fast gone!!! we can't see this horrible old man's time!!! Kenjiro...I asked it....do you hear about National Catholic Reporter??? and Crux now, New ways Ministry...I know them...they are support to wrong group!!! specially New Ways ministry...I well know....Cardinal Ratzinger(Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI) said about them...they are wrong group...not a Catholic group....and former Archbishop of Chicago, President of USCCB...Cardinal Francis George said to same opinion!!! but now they acting a lot....kkkkkk....they said to us schismatics!!!! jajajajaa!! I think...are they kidding??? who's are real Schismatics!!! they are real Schismatics!!! I remember....Holy Father Pope Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI's time...they always saying...Pope is a Dictator..they must hear another Voice...they always blaming their protect to our Orthodox Teaching actions....but now....they blaming to Orthodox group...we just saying...Pope must protect to our Orthodox teachings...but they attack to us...so funny..and Crux..John Allen said...just against Francis groups are very few...most, most Catholic people are love, Support to Francis...hmm....I reading to them...make me so angry....but, but we must know about our enemies situation...so I always checked to them...maybe are you same??? really hope Orthodox Pope will elect...remove to this all wrong media too...many talking sorry....and one more tell....Bergoglio will dose not saying about Retire...and want stay longer...until his die...Orthodox Cardinals will must have action!!! need to Abdication!!! this man lost himself to Papacy!!!!! any more to Pope!!! just crazy Tyrant!! we don't need any more this Tyrant!!! Orthodox Cardinals will remove him....even though I am not sure...and very hard...but I really hope it..and Orthodox Catholic People are must saying about Abdication!!!! we don't need any more pray for this crazy Tyrant!!!! many talking sorry......our Lord Sacred Heart of Jesus blessed always you and all your family...all lovely people...Holy Mary, All Angels and Saints..pray for us...specially Great Martyrs Saints of Japan and Korea...pray for us...men...take care!!^^ many talking sorry....but I always happy learning a lot^^