Pope Francis has experienced his second fall in two months, bruising his forearm, the Vatican announced on Thursday. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has faced increasingly fragile health in recent years, is now wearing a sling.
The incident occurred at the Santa Marta residence, where the Pope resides in the Vatican. According to a statement from the Vatican press office, no bones were broken during the fall.
“This morning, due to a fall at the Santa Marta house, Pope Francis suffered a contusion on his right forearm, without fractures. The arm was immobilised as a precautionary measure,” the statement read.
In December, the Pope was seen with a large bruise on his right jaw, which was attributed to a fall from his bed. Since assuming the papacy in 2013, Francis has dealt with a series of health challenges, including persistent knee and hip pain, episodes of bronchitis, and reliance on a wheelchair since 2022.
Despite these difficulties, the Pope has remained active. In September, he completed his longest journey as head of the Catholic Church, covering four nations and setting a record for both duration and distance travelled during his papacy.
