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POPE FRANCIS GOT a cut on his brow and a bruised eye when he bumped into the window of his popemobile while waving to admirers in Colombia.
Francis, who’s 80 years old, was standing up in the specially designed vehicle during a procession through the Caribbean city of Cartagena when the vehicle braked sharply.
Television pictures showed him colliding with the glass of the vehicle’s covered platform, and then being assisted by his bodyguard.
He was seen later with a bruise on his cheek and a small dressing on his brow, but still smiling.
“I got bashed,” he joked to reporters.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told journalists: “The pope is alright. Ice was put on it and he was treated. He will continue the schedule for his visit with no changes.”
Later, the Pope tweeted that the visit had done him “the world of good”.
Dear Colombian brothers and sisters, thank you! I have met so many people who have touched my heart. You have done me a world of good!
Francis was in Cartagena on the last day of a four-city tour of Columbia to honour St Peter Claver, a 17th-century Jesuit who ministered to the tens of thousands of African slaves who arrived in the port to be sold.
He was due to fly back to Rome last night.
With reporting from Gráinne Ní Aodha © – AFP 2017
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Remember his promise to abolish USC?!?!
You’ve been in power ages. You could have done this at any stage. Jog on
25% off plus 25% off the following year is NOT a 50% reduction. It’s 44% from the initial amount. Does anybody bother with maths anymore?
@john murray: To keep his promise it would require a further 34% decrease in Budget 2024 to follow up on the 25% from Budget 2023 in order for a 2-yr decrease of 50% . I am surprised that these people can manage an economy. Juniour cert kids can manage that calculation.
@john murray: True, but it seems that they did not promise a 25% decrease in the second year: rather that they would try to achieve a 50% decrease over the two years – ‘a further 25% reduction’ appears to be the journalist’s (wrong) interpretation.
@Brendan O’Brien: it does in fairness. Back to school for the writer in that case.
@John Murray: Yes.
@john murray: For bonus points, what annual percentage would lead to a 50% reduction over 2 years?
Anybody that thinks Varadkar even remotely cares about them or their children is quite deluded!
Thats great news for families, now do something about the inability to get kids into creche due to a lack of staff and services.
My boss has been told by all the places they looked at are booked out till at least next year so has to resort to paying through the nose for a private babysitter.
Watch the scramble by the usual suspects to get into the childcare business. Next year’s declarations of interest by TDs will make for informative reading..
What if me Granny looks after the kiddos.
Is the “cut” applicable” here ?
“We did it before, and we’ll do it again”
Aboy Leo.
My old nan used to say (not babysitter gran, my other nan) that self praise is no praise. So take heed Leo.
@UCD Trinity: Is that you Stephen Ireland, I thought you had 4 grannies?
I can’t understand why they won’t just give everybody a little by reducing it getting rid of USC & if you if have children they you can use the saving towards childcare if you wish! It’s really unfair to constantly reward those with children more than those who don’t have or want to have children.
Yawn more untruths
How fitting.
Governments should focus on putting money where it is needed most like Childcare, housing and Health. Please do not reduce income tax as the money is needed elsewhere. Also their should be a wealth tax.
Why do people think any government will abolish USC. For one thing it brings in 4 Billion per year, for another it is hard to avoid paying USC as it collected on all income including rental income
Everyone pays USC so it ensures everyone is making some contribution, no matter how small. And finally it is a combination of the PRSI and Health Levy
have your say