There is concern for Pope Francis’s health after he was spotted with a massive bruise on his chin.
It follows months of medical worries for the Pope, 87, who also seemed tired and had a swollen neck at a ceremony held today.
The pictures show a huge purple and black coloured bruise near his chin and neck.
Despite these apparent problems though, he continued to hold the event where new cardinals were installed.
The Vatican confirmed that the bruise was the result of a minor fall where he hit his chin on his bedside table the previous morning.
Because of his age the Pope now uses a wheelchair due to knee and back problems.
Today’s event was important because it inducted new members into the group that will later choose Francis’ successor, if he dies or retires.
Cardinals are the highest-ranking officials in the Catholic Church, beside the Pope.
Around 80% of these cardinals have now been installed by the Pope to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.
This isn’t the first time he has been faced with health problems.
In 2023, he was rushed to hospital for surgery, sparking fresh concerns for his health.
The Vatican confirmed he underwent an operation on his intestine.
He was put under general anesthesia and remained under the care of doctors at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome for several days.
At the time he recovered well from his second major abdominal operation in two years – and even got a laugh out of his surgeon by joking: ‘When will we do the third one?’
In a medical bulletin, the Vatican said Francis was on a liquid diet and was well enough to receive communion.
He also managed a telephone call to the mother of a boy he baptised in the children’s ward during his last stay, thanking her for a get well soon poster.
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