Pope Francis injured his right arm in a fall at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, on Thursday morning, according to an official Vatican statement. The 88-year-old pontiff did not sustain any fractures, but his arm was placed in a sling as a precautionary measure.
This incident marks the second recent fall for Pope Francis. On December 7, he struck his chin on a nightstand, leaving a visible bruise. Despite these challenges, the pope remains committed to his duties, adjusting his schedule as needed to accommodate his health, reported CNN.
In a statement, the Holy See press office said that due to a fall Thursday morning in the Casa Santa Marta, the pope’s residence, the 88-year-old pontiff “suffered a contusion to his right forearm, without fracture.”
The statement added that his arm has been “immobilized as a precautionary measure.”
Official pictures showed the pope wearing a cloth sling as he held meetings.
Despite the fall, Francis held five meetings on Thursday according to the Vatican, including with Alvaro Lario, the President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development, and priests from an Argentine college based in Rome.
On Wednesday, the pope led his general audience in the Vatican and seemed in good spirits, throwing a tennis ball to a dog during a circus performance.
Concerns about the pope’s health have persisted due to his ongoing mobility challenges, including chronic knee pain that often requires him to use a wheelchair, walker, or cane. These issues have fueled speculation about his ability to continue in his role, but the pontiff recently pushed back on rumors he may resign.
“The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs,” he wrote, according to Fox News.
The fall occurred mere days after President Biden awarded Pope Francis the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. The award was conveyed via phone call, as Biden had canceled a planned trip to Rome due to the ongoing California wildfires.
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