Pope Francis Suffers Fall at 88 but Keeps Up with His Schedule – Latest News

Pope Francis has injured his right arm after a fall at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican reported Thursday. The 88-year-old pontiff did not suffer any broken bones but did have a contusion on his right forearm. As a precaution, his arm has been immobilized.

Even after the fall the pope attended five meetings. He met with Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and priests from an Argentine college in Rome. In official photos, the pope can be seen wearing a cloth sling during the meetings.

On Wednesday the Pope Francis appeared in good spirits, participating in a circus performance at the Vatican where he threw a tennis ball to a dog.

This is not the first fall Pope Francis has experienced recently. In early December, he was seen with a bruise on his chin after falling during the night and hitting his bedside table.

Pope Francis has faced several health challenges in recent years. Due to knee pain, he has been using a wheelchair since 2022. In his autobiography “Hope,” the pope acknowledged his aging, saying that while he sometimes feels “embarrassed” by his need for a wheelchair, he has learned to accept old age. He emphasized that leadership in the Church is guided by the mind and heart, not by physical strength, and he continues to carry out his responsibilities.