Papal health Archives

Report: Pope Francis getting massages, injections for sciatica
- Vatican
- August 11, 2017
Though it’s not life-threatening and doesn’t impede the pontiff from fulfilling the duties of his office, sciatica, a nerve disorder that produces pain in the back and leg, has long hobbled Pope Francis. A new magazine report suggests that over the summer, Francis is receiving massages and injections twice a week to manage the condition.
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Key aide to Pope Benedict: As he approaches 90, he’s fine
- Vatican
- March 19, 2017
In an interview with Vatican Radio, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the closest aide to emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, says that although the retired pontiff will turn 90 next month, his health is basically good and he continues to keep a very active schedule.
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Three years ago brought history’s greatest act of papal humility
- Church
- February 11, 2016
By sheer coincidence, I was in Rome on Feb. 11, 2013. My wife and I had already moved back to the United States from Rome, but on that date I had returned to give a talk on religious freedom at the Italian Foreign Ministry, which is why I happened to
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Five predictions for the unpredictable Pope Francis in 2016

December 6, 2015

Last week I was in Youngstown and Akron, Ohio, where I’ve been speaking at First Friday clubs for several years. My wife Shannon, who handles my speaking calendar, is very loyal to these folks, and insisted that I offer them something new and original. In response, I did something that’s

Vatican denies that Pope Francis has a brain tumor

Church

October 21, 2015

ROME — A report in an Italian newspaper that Pope Francis has a small, curable brain tumor drew a swift denial from the Vatican Wednesday, with a spokesman labeling the story “unfounded …. seriously irresponsible, and not worthy of attention.” Citing an unnamed nurse, the Bologna-based daily Qoutidiano Nazionale (National

Notebook: Really tight security in Philly

Papal Visit

September 22, 2015

With a couple of hours in between papal events in the City of Brotherly Love Saturday afternoon, I decided to go for a walk to see how the city was coping with the influx of more than 1 million people descending on the city, all eager for a glimpse of Pope Francis.