The Vatican has officially denied reports by an Italian media outfit, which claimed that Pope Francis has a benign brain tumor.
According to the newspaper ‘Quotidiano Nazionale’, the 78-year-old
pope had secretly flown by helicopter to a small Tuscan town “some time
ago” to see a Japanese doctor.
The national paper reported on Wednesday, October 21, that the
Argentine pontiff was diagnosed with “a small dark spot on the brain”,
adding that the ailment is curable.
The pope, however, seem to be in good health in recent months apart
from some leg pain due to the fact that he suffers from sciatica, for
which he undergoes regular physical therapy in the Vatican.
In reacting to the newspaper’s claim, Father Federico Lombardi, the chief Vatican spokesman said: “The
circulation of entirely unfounded news regarding the health of the Holy
Father by an Italian newspaper is gravely irresponsible and unworthy of
attention.”
He said: “Furthermore, as is clearly evident, the pope is carrying out his very intense activity in a totally normal way.”
Briefly after the statement denying the medical anomaly, Francis held
his weekly general audience before tens of thousands of people in St.
Peter’s Square.
The pope has been attending a three-week gathering of Roman Catholic bishops from around the world, daily.
In his first official trip to Africa, the pope has refused to visit Nigeria. Vatican officials say
The shunning of Nigeria is informed by the numerous attacks by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
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