Pope Francis experienced a fall at his Santa Marta residence, resulting in a bruised right forearm. As a precautionary measure, his arm has been immobilized with a sling. This incident marks the second fall for the pontiff in recent weeks, following a facial injury sustained in December. These falls add to a series of health challenges the Pope has faced, including persistent knee problems and multiple surgeries in 2021 and 2023. Despite these setbacks, Pope Francis recently dismissed resignation rumors, affirming his well-being in a newly published autobiography and emphasizing that leadership within the Church relies on intellect and compassion rather than physical mobility.

This recent fall occurred shortly after President Biden conferred upon Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Due to the California wildfires, President Biden canceled his planned trip to Rome and instead presented the award via a phone call, during which they discussed global peace and humanitarian efforts. The White House lauded Pope Francis as a unique figure, a beacon of faith, hope, and love, and highlighted his role as "the People's Pope." This marked the first time President Biden bestowed the medal "with distinction" during his presidency.