ROME — Pope Francis experienced a fall on Thursday, injuring his right arm, as reported by the Vatican. This incident comes shortly after he sustained a bruise on his chin due to another fall just weeks prior.
Although the Vatican confirmed that the pope’s arm is not broken, he has been fitted with a sling as a precaution, according to the Vatican spokesperson’s announcement.
On December 7, the pope had previously injured his chin when he collided with his nightstand during another fall, which resulted in a significant bruise.
The 88-year-old pontiff has faced various health challenges, including prolonged episodes of bronchitis, and he frequently relies on a wheelchair due to knee issues. He often utilizes a walker or cane while navigating his apartment at the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence.
The recent fall occurred within the confines of Casa Santa Marta, and afterward, Pope Francis was seen attending meetings with his arm supported in a sling. During one encounter, he offered his left hand for a handshake when meeting with Alvaro Lario, the head of the U.N. fund for agricultural development, as a gesture of goodwill.
According to the Vatican’s statement, “This morning, due to a fall at the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis suffered a contusion to his right forearm, which resulted in no fracture. The arm was immobilized as a precaution.”
The health of Pope Francis tends to be a focal point of speculation within Vatican circles, particularly following Pope Benedict XVI’s unprecedented resignation in 2013. Benedict had attributed his decision to step down to a fall he experienced during a trip to Mexico in 2012, which led him to conclude that he could no longer meet the vigorous demands of the papacy.
Pope Francis has indicated that he has no immediate plans to resign, despite admitting that Benedict had “opened the door” to such possibilities. In his recently released autobiography titled “Hope,” Francis mentioned that he has not contemplated resignation even in the face of significant health issues, like when he underwent major intestinal surgery.
