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Days ago, there were global rumors reported in a number of papers that Pope Francis was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor by a Japanese doctor..
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The story got lots of play in both religious based and non religious fishwrappers. Even the Drudge Report picked up the scoop and ran with it, giving it a headline for more than 24 hours on the page.
And now after the tumor turmoil, the Vatican has clearly denied the story..
“I fully confirm my previous statement, having verified the facts with the appropriate sources, including the Holy Father,” said Father Federico Lombardi, director of the press office. “No Japanese doctor has visited the Pope in the Vatican and there have been no examinations of the type indicated in the article.”
This, however, is where the intrigue pops in.
According to reporting on CatholicCulture.org,
In a related development, Dr. Fukushima removed from his own personal web site photos of visits to the Vatican in October 2014 and January 2015. The web site had shown photos of a meeting between the doctor and Pope Francis; those photos appeared to have been retouched. Dr. Fukushima has said that he only met the Pontiff briefly, in the course of a public audience, and never for a medical consultation or treatment.
Pure coincidence. I am sure….?