Pope Francis has suffered his second fall in two months, bruising his right forearm, the Vatican announced on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Despite the incident, no fractures were reported, and the 88-year-old pontiff is wearing a sling as a precautionary measure.
According to the Vatican’s press office, the pope fell at the Santa Marta residence, where he lives within the Vatican. “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.
This follows an earlier fall in December, which left the pope with a visible bruise on his right jaw after he fell from his bed.
Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has faced ongoing health challenges, including knee and hip pain, as well as recurrent bouts of bronchitis. Since 2022, he has relied on a wheelchair for mobility. Despite these issues, the pope remains active, recently completing a four-nation trip in September, the longest of his papacy in both duration and distance.
