Concerns Surround Pope Francis' Health After He Makes Appearance With Bruised Chin

When he appeared at St. Peter's Basilica for a ceremony to install 21 new cardinals, attendees noticed a large bruise on the lower right side of his chin and neck, which sparked a lot of concern about the health of the head of Vatican State.

Is Pope Francis healthy? This is the question that many people have been asking lately, especially after his recent appearance, in which he appeared in public with a big, bluish-purplish scar on his chin, which looked like a bruise. On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Pope Francis' -- the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City -- bruised chin was visible to all during a ceremony, sparking concern about his health and overall well-being. According to news reports, when the 87-year-old arrived at St. Peter's Basilica for the ceremony that was held to install 21 new cardinals, attendees noticed a large bruise on the lower right side of his chin and neck which, per a Reuters report, the Vatican press office explained was a result of an injury he sustained after hitting his chin on the bedside table a day prior.

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The pope -- who turns 88 later this month, on December 17 -- otherwise appeared to be in good health. He proceeded with the rituals during the ceremony, wherein he officially appointed 21 men from 17 countries, including India, Japan, the Philippines, Argentina, Peru, Algeria, and Serbia to the 'College of Cardinals'. This exclusive group will one day elect his successor.

For a while now, the pope -- who assumed the role in 2013 -- has suffered from sporadic episodes of ill-health, but nothing has been thought to be too concerning. He uses a wheelchair and other mobility devices now to move around, because of pain in his knees and back.

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According to a People report, the pope underwent an intestinal surgery for an abdominal hernia in June 2023. Prior to the surgery, he had been suffering from 'recurring, painful and worsening' symptoms. "At the end of the General Audience, the Holy Father went to the A. Gemelli University Hospital where in the early afternoon he will undergo a surgical operation of laparotomy and plastic surgery of the abdominal wall with prostheses under general anesthesia," the Vatican was quoted as telling the publication back then in a statement.

In April 2023, Francis had been in the hospital, receiving treatment for bronchitis.