Pope Francis suffers black eye after hitting his head on the popemobile

Pope Francis got a cut on his brow and blood on his white cape on Sunday when he bumped into the window of his popemobile while waving to admirers in Colombia.

Francis, 80, was standing up in the specially designed vehicle during a procession through the Caribbean city of Cartagena when the vehicle braked sharply.

Francis, who only had a hip-high bar to hold onto, lost his balance and suffered a bruised, black left eye and a cut on his eyebrow that dripped blood onto his white cassock.

After being helped from the car, the cut was quickly bandaged with a butterfly patch and Francis carried on without incident with his program. 

He visited the St Peter Claver church, where he praised the 17th century missionary for having recognised the inherent dignity of slaves.

People greets Pope Francis as he arrives in his popemobile at the San Pedro Claver church Cartagena, Colombia. Picture: Ricardo Mazalan/APSource:AP

Francis, known for his own simple and austere style, said Claver was “austere and charitable to the point of heroism.”

The incident occurred on the last day of the pope’s four-city Colombian tour. He was due to fly back to Rome later on Sunday.

We wish the Pope good health.