Pope Francis' arm was secured in a sling on Thursday after the Vatican confirmed he was injured in a fall, the second such incident in recent weeks.
The Vatican said Francis suffered a fall in his official residence on Thursday morning and was now using a cloth sling to support his right arm. Francis also suffered facial injuries in a fall just six weeks ago in December.
“Pope Francis sustained a bruise on his right forearm, but no fractures, as a result of a fall this morning at Villa Santa Marta. As a precaution, his arm was immobilized,” the statement said.
The falls are the latest in a series of health problems that have hit the pope, including longstanding knee problems and multiple surgeries in 2021 and 2023.
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Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. (Reuters/Ciro de Luca/File photo)
President Francis pushed back on whispers of resignation. He wrote in his autobiography, published Tuesday, that he was “in good spirits.”
“The church is not governed with its feet, but with its head and heart,” he wrote.
The fall comes just days after President Biden presented Pope Francis with the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor bestowed in the United States. However, the gift was sent by phone after President Biden canceled a previously planned visit to Rome due to heavy rains in California. Wildfire.
President Joe Biden presented Pope Francis with the Medal of Freedom. (Susan Walsh/Associated Press)
Instead, Biden presented the award to the pope in a telephone conversation during which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world.
“Pope Francis is different from previous popes.'' white house announcement Read. “Above all, he is the people's Pope, a beacon of faith, hope and love that brightens the world.”
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This was the first time in his four years in office. biden Award He said the medal was “an achievement.”
President Joe Biden (right) awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week to several recipients, including Hillary Clinton. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Seneta)
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Biden, 82, will retire from office on January 20th. lifelong Catholic He was honored by then-President Barack Obama at a surprise ceremony eight years ago when he was vice president, and was the recipient of this award for his outstanding performance. According to the Associated Press, this is the only time in President Obama's two terms that he has awarded this version of the medal.
