Pope Francis trips, falls, regains balance, at Mass in Poland

Mangalore Today News Network

Jasna Gora, July 29, 2016: Pope Francis tripped and fell while approaching the altar at Poland’s holiest shrine, the Jasna Góra Monastery, on July 28, Thursday.  He was back soon on his feet in no time and proceeded as planned with his homily, report agencies.

 

The 79-year-old pontiff was approaching the shrine surrounded by several priests when, seemingly lost in thought, he stumbled and fell to the ground. Several nearby priests rushed to help him back to his feet, and Francis rapidly regained his balance and continued with the procession.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told the media  that “the pope is fine” following his fall, and Czestochowa Archbishop Waclaw Depo said,  “He is in good condition. He did not even complain a bit. He never said a word. Also, the homily showed that the pope has strength and this strength he gets from the people.”

Tens of thousands of people had gathered to hear Pope Francis speak. It was the first time he has ever set foot in Eastern Europe; Francis’ predecessor Pope John Paul II was beloved in Poland, his native land.

During the Mass, Pope Francis urged the Poles to stay united in light of dissenting views over refugees and migrants, and prayed that Poles would have “the desire to leave behind all past wrongs and wounds, and to build fellowship for all, without ever yielding to the temptation to withdraw or to domineer.”