Pope Francis suffered a fall and injured his right arm but did not suffer any fractures, according to a Vatican statement.
The Holy See press office reported that the 88-year-old pontiff fell Thursday morning at Casa Santa Marta, his residence, causing a contusion to his right forearm. The press release specifies that his arm was immobilized as a precautionary measure.
Photographs released by the Vatican show the pope wearing a cloth scarf as he continues his official duties.
Despite the fall, Pope Francis maintained a busy schedule, holding 5 meetings on Thursday, January 16, 2025, including one with Alvaro Lario, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and another with priests from an Argentine college in Rome.
The incident took place after the pope’s general audience on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, where he appeared in good spirits, even throwing a tennis ball at a dog during a circus performance.
However, this is the second fall of the pope in recent weeks. In early December, he suffered a large bruise on his chin after falling and hitting his bedside table during the night.
-The state of health of Pope Francis
He has faced several health problems in recent years. Since 2022, he has used a wheelchair due to knee pain and mobility issues.
In his recently published autobiography, Hope, the pope speaks of his health, describing it as generally good while acknowledging the realities of aging. “The reality is simply that I’m old”, he writes.
Reflecting on his physical limitations, he admitted that using a wheelchair was “awkward” at first, but he stressed the importance of adapting in old age.
“Old age never happens by itself and we must accept it as it is”, he said. He also noted: “The Church is governed by the head and the heart, not by the legs. I do physical therapy twice a week, use a cane, take as many steps as I can and keep going”.
The pope governed by resigning his position, reaffirming his commitment to leading the Church despite its physical challenges.
