Pope Francis Appears With Bruised Chin At Ceremony

Pope Francis led a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday to install 21 new Catholic cardinals with what appeared to be a bruised chin. The Vatican said it would not comment on the matter.

Francis, who turns 88 this month, appeared otherwise on good form, leading a ritual-filled ceremony to elevate churchmen from 17 countries to the College of Cardinals, the elite group that will one day elect his successor.

A purplish blotch could be seen on the right side of the pope’s face, around his lower chin and upper neck. The Vatican’s press office said it would not comment on what had happened.

Francis, pope since 2013, has suffered occasional bouts of ill health in recent years, and now uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain.

Cardinals are the highest-ranking officials in the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church beside the pope. At the pontiff’s death or resignation, cardinals under the age of 80 are tasked with entering a conclave and choosing the next pope.

Francis has now installed about 80% of the prelates who will elect the next pope, increasing the likelihood that the next pontiff might share his vision for a Church that is more inclusive and engaged with the wider world.

The newest appointees come from countries including Peru, Argentina, Japan, the Philippines, Algeria, India and Serbia.

In his homily for Saturday’s service, Francis said the new cardinals “come from different backgrounds and cultures”, urging them to be “witnesses of fraternity, artisans of communion and builders of unity”.

Reuters/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma