Jan. 16 (UPI) — Pope Francis injured his arm in a fall at his residence, the Vatican announced Thursday. Officials said the pontiff was not severely injured but was taken for medical attention as a precaution.
“This morning, due to a fall at the Santa Marta house, Pope Francis suffered a bruise to his right forearm, without fractures,” a statement released by the Vatican said. “The arm was immobilized as a precautionary measure.”
The Vatican released a photo of Pope Francis, 88, with his right arm immobilized and in a sling.
This is the second time in as many months that Pope Francis has been injured. On December 6, he fell and hit his chin on a bedside table, which left him with bruises on his face, according to the National Catholic Reporter.
The Roman Catholic pontiff has had difficulty getting around in recent years due to a torn ligament in his left knee and often uses a wheelchair, though he sometimes insists on entering a room on foot, under his own power, for public appearances.
The Vatican said that, despite Thursday’s fall, there have been no changes to his schedule.
