POPE FRANCIS FALLS, SUFFERS BRUISES ON RIGHT ARM

POPE FRANCIS FALLS, SUFFERS BRUISES ON RIGHT ARM

Pope Francis sustained a bruise on his right forearm after a fall at Santa Marta on Thursday.

The Holy See said the fall did not cause fractures but noted that “his arm has been immobilized as a precaution”.

The statement said the pope continued with his scheduled audiences, including a meeting with Nosipho Jezile, chair of the World Food Security (CFS) committee.

An accompanying photograph showed the pope’s right arm in a sling as he shook Jezile’s hand.
Francis has suffered some health problems in recent years and this is the second fall he has had in weeks.

In early December, the 88-year-old had a large bruise on his chin caused by falling and hitting his bedside table during the night.

The pope has also consistently used a wheelchair due to mobility problems caused by pain in his knee.

Last year, he pulled out of a Good Friday service at the last minute, with the Vatican saying this was done “to preserve his health” ahead of major Easter engagements.

Francis also missed the procession in 2023 — for the first time since becoming pope in 2013. At the time, it had only been about a week since he had been released from hospital after undergoing treatment for bronchitis.

In 2022, the pope promised to resign if health issues impeded him from performing optimally but in a recently published autobiography, Francis ruled the possibility out.