Pope Francis Suffers Fall, Hurts Right Arm
Pope Francis fell on Thursday, hurting his right arm, the Vatican announced. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has battled various health issues, was seen in audiences with his right arm in a sling.
The incident is the second recent fall attributed to Francis, who last week whacked his chin on a nightstand, resulting in a bruise. He uses a walker or cane to navigate around his Vatican residence, Santa Marta hotel.
A Vatican statement said that Francis suffered a contusion to his right forearm and that his arm was immobilized as a precautionary measure. The cause of the fall was not disclosed.
The pope’s health has been a top concern for years, following Pope Benedict XVI’s unexpected resignation in 2013. Benedict’s aides attributed his decision to a fall during a trip to Mexico, which led him to conclude he could no longer fulfill the demands of the papacy.
Francis, who is 88, wrote in his autobiography “Hope” that he has no plans to resign, even though Benedict’s departure opened up the possibility of doing so. Francis also revealed that he hadn’t considered resigning after major intestinal surgery.