Pope Francis presides over ceremony for new cardinals with wide bruise on his chin
Pope Francis reacts during a solemn mass where he made 21 new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Credit: AP/Gregorio Borgia
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis was seen with a significant bruise on his chin Saturday, but presided over a ceremony to install new cardinals without apparent problems.
A Vatican spokesman said later Saturday that the bruise was caused by a contusion on Friday morning, when Francis hit a night stand with his chin.
The pontiff, who turns 88 later this month, appeared slightly fatigued, but carried on as normal with the scheduled ceremony to create 21 new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica.
Francis has suffered several health problems in recent years and now uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain.
In 2017, while on a trip to Colombia, Francis sported a black eye after he hit his head on a support bar when his popemobile stopped short.
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