Pope Francis stumbled briefly while entering a Vatican auditorium for a Jubilee audience after the handle of his walking stick broke. Despite the incident, the 88-year-old pontiff, who has been managing ongoing mobility challenges, remained steady with the assistance of his aides and continued with the event as planned.
The Pope, who has faced knee problems in recent years, has experienced similar incidents before. Earlier this year, he injured his right arm in a fall, though no fractures were reported. In December, he suffered a bruised chin after another accidental fall in his residence. He frequently uses a cane or walker to move around the Vatican’s Santa Marta hotel, where he resides.
Following the mishap, a member of the audience called out, “Viva il Papa,” prompting applause from those gathered.
Concerns about Pope Francis’ health have persisted, particularly in light of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013, which was partly attributed to health struggles. However, Francis has repeatedly affirmed that he has no intention of stepping down. In his recent autobiography Hope, he stated that even after undergoing major surgery, resigning was never an option he considered.