Vatican denies pope has treatable tumour
October 21, 2015  15:51
The Vatican today dismissed an Italian media report that Pope Francis has a treatable brain tumour as "unfounded and seriously irresponsible." Quotidiano Nazionale (QN), the newspaper which made the claim, said it stood by its story that a "small dark spot" had been detected on the 78-year-old pontiff's brain earlier this year.


The paper said it was discovered by Japanese physician Takanori Fukushima during an examination at the San Rossore di Barbaricina clinic near Pisa in central Italy.


The professor reportedly concluded that the tumour was treatable and that no surgery was required. "The publication of completely unfounded reports on the health of the holy father by an Italian newspaper is seriously irresponsible and not worthy of attention," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said in a statement.


"As everyone can see, the pope continues to engage in his intense activity without any interruption and in absolutely normal fashion."
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