Vatican Denies Pope Francis Brain Tumor Report

The Vatican denied a report this week that suggested Pope Francis is suffering from a brain tumor.

Vatican Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi sought to dispel the claims made in a recent report by the Quotidiano Nazionale newspaper that suggested Francis was being treated for a brain tumor by a Japanese doctor partly based in Rome.

The report came from claims made by a nurse at a local clinic who says she saw the pope's name on medical documents outlining the nature of his tumor.

Lombardi sought to decry the recent claims at a press conference this week, saying: "I can confirm that no Japanese doctor came to the Vatican to see the pope and there were no examinations of the type indicated in the article."

The Vatican spokesperson added that if anyone doubts his claims, they should try to keep up with the pope.

"If you had to run after him during his overseas trips, you'd know [that he is in good health," Lombardi said.

According to the Associated Press, the newspaper's editor, Andrea Cangini, said in a statement that the newspaper stands by its claims and took a long time to decide whether to publish the story of Francis' alleged tumor.

The Vatican called the newspaper's publishing of the story "a grave act of irresponsibility, absolutely inexcusable and unconscionable."

The alleged Japanese doctor identified in the story as Takanori Fukushima could reportedly not be reached for comment in response to the article's publication.