Pope Francis Diagnosed With Brain Tumor? Japanese Specialist Denies Treating Pope

Takanori Fukushima, leading Japanese neurosurgeon said he had never treated Pope Francis, denying an Italian media report that he had flown secretly to the Vatican and diagnosed the pontiff with a small but curable brain tumor.

"I only met him once and I doubt he remembers me. So many falsehoods have been written," said Fukushima.

Pope Francis Urges Bishops to Speak Freely at Family Synod
In Rome, Pope Francis urged bishops to be frank and not afraid to speak freely as a synod on the thorny subject of Catholic teachings on the family opened.

The Vatican indignantly denied as "unfounded" and "gravely irresponsible" reports that Francis was diagnosed with a small but curable brain tumor after Fukushima found a 'dark spot'. The diagnosis was made by Fukushima, who had flown to visit the Pope at the Vatican city, the media claimed.

Fukushima removed two posts from his blog regarding two visits he said he made to the Vatican -- one in January, which did not mention a meeting with Francis and an earlier one that contained a photo of Fukushima meeting Francis at a general audience in St Peter's Square on October 1, 2014.

Why Popes Bless Using the Same Hand Gesture? An Ulnar Nerve Injury May Be The Reason
St. Peter's, the first pope had an ulnar nerve injury and out of respect for him the other popes followed with that same pattern to bless people.

Source-IANS

Rajan Zed, Hindu Statesman Asks Pope Francis To Clarify His Stand On Yoga
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New Recipe Book Sheds Light on Papal Favorites
A member of Vatican's famed Swiss Guard unveiled a range of recipes of dishes favored by popes.