Pope Francis Injured After Fall at Vatican

Pope Francis has suffered an injury to his right arm after a fall at his Vatican residence, the Vatican announced on Thursday. While the 88-year-old pontiff did not sustain any fractures, his uninjured arm has been immobilized as a precautionary measure.

This incident marks the second time in just over a month that the pope has experienced a fall. On December 6, he fell and hit his chin on a bedside table, resulting in visible bruising.

In recent years, Pope Francis has faced multiple health challenges, including mobility issues that have required him to use a wheelchair. He has attributed these difficulties to persistent knee pain. Despite this, he has continued to fulfill his duties and has ruled out resigning.

In his recently published autobiography Hope, the pope acknowledged the realities of aging, stating, “The reality is, quite simply, that I am old.” He admitted that initially, it was “embarrassing” to use a wheelchair but emphasized the importance of accepting old age.

“The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs,” he wrote, adding that he undergoes physiotherapy twice a week, uses a walking stick, and remains as active as possible.