Pope Francis had a close call on Saturday when the handle of his walking stick suddenly snapped, causing him to nearly stumble to the ground as he entered a Vatican auditorium to address an audience.
Despite the mishap, the 88-year-old pontiff quickly regained his balance, only to be assisted by a pair of aides who helped him to his seat on stage.
The moment was captured in photos, showing the pope, leaning on his broken walking stick, as aides rushed to his side. As the pope steadied himself, a member of the crowd cheered, “Viva il Papa,” which sparked applause from the audience.
Known for his ongoing struggles with knee issues, Pope Francis has faced multiple falls in recent months. He’s been using a wheelchair and walking sticks to get around, all while managing various chronic health conditions, including bouts of bronchitis.
Earlier this month, the pope injured his arm in a fall. Though it wasn’t fractured, doctors had him wear a sling for support. And just last December, he fell in his bedroom, injuring his chin on a nightstand, which left him with visible bruising.
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