Pope Francis has suffered his second fall in as many months, bruising his forearm, the Vatican confirmed on Thursday. He was seen wearing a sling following the incident.
The 88-year-old pontiff, whose health has become increasingly fragile in recent years, fell at the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican but did not break any bones, according to a statement from the Vatican press office.
“This morning, due to a fall at the Santa Marta house, Pope Francis suffered a contusion on his right forearm, without fractures. The arm was immobilized as a precautionary measure,” the statement read.
In December, the Argentine pope was seen with a large bruise on his right jaw following a fall from his bed.
Since taking over as head of the Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Francis has faced recurring health issues, including pain in his knee and hip, as well as several bouts of bronchitis. He has been using a wheelchair since 2022.
Despite these challenges, the pope remains very active and, in September, completed a four-nation trip—the longest of his papacy in terms of duration and distance.