Vatican confirms 2nd fall in matter of weeks, leaving Pope Francis injured.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis sustained an injury in a fall on Thursday, the second such incident in a short period of time.

On Thursday morning, Francis sustained an injury to his right arm when he fell inside his residence. He is currently using a cloth sling to support the affected arm. This is not the first time Francis has experienced an injury; just six weeks ago in December, he fell and injured his face.

Due to a fall at the Santa Marta house, Pope Francis sustained a contusion on his right forearm. Although there were no fractures, the arm was immobilized as a precautionary measure.

The pope has recently experienced falls, which are the latest in a series of health issues he has faced, including longstanding knee problems and surgeries in 2021 and 2023.

Francis has refuted rumors of his resignation by stating in his newly published autobiography that he is "well."

He wrote that the Church is led not by the legs, but by the head and the heart.

Days after President Biden presented Pope Francis with the Medal of Freedom, the fall arrived. The gift was delivered over the phone, as Biden had to cancel a planned trip to Rome due to the California wildfires.

During a phone call, Biden presented the award to the pope and they discussed ways to promote peace and ease global suffering.

"Unlike any predecessor, Pope Francis is the People's Pope, a beacon of faith, hope, and love shining globally."

During his four years in office, Biden had never awarded the medal "with distinction" before.

Biden, 82, will depart from the presidency on January 20th. The longtime Catholic is also a recipient of the award with distinction, which he received when he was vice president under President Barack Obama in a surprise ceremony eight years ago. This was the only time during Obama's two terms that he awarded this version of the medal, according to the Associated Press.