Pope Francis' Arm in a Sling: What's the Story?

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, recently took a tumble at Santa Marta in Colombia. This isn't his first fall in recent months—he also slipped back in December, which left him with a nasty bruise on his chin. This time, he's sporting a sling on his right arm. The Vatican reassured everyone that there are no broken bones, just a painful contusion.

Francis has been dealing with health issues for a while now. He's had surgery on his intestines, has struggled with bronchitis, and his knees aren't in the best shape either. Because of these problems, he often uses a wheelchair or a walker to get around. His falls remind people of Pope Benedict XVI, who decided to step down from his role after a fall in Mexico in 2012. Unlike Benedict, Francis has said he doesn't plan to step down, at least not yet. In his autobiography, he mentioned that if his health gets in the way of his duties, he might consider resigning.

Actions