Skip to content

Has Catholic Online given you $5 worth of value this year? Maybe you came here for a prayer. Maybe you read today's Mass readings. Maybe you researched a saint. Maybe you needed an answer about the Catholic Faith. Maybe your child used Catholic Online School. If the answer is no, you don't owe us anything. Keep using Catholic Online. But if the answer is yes, we're asking you to give $5 today.

Catholic Online School has served 2.2 million student enrollments in 193 countries, and we continue working to make Catholic education available regardless of a family's financial circumstances. We don't need every reader to give. We need the readers who recognize the value of what they've received to stand behind it. Is Catholic Online worth $5 to you?

Vatican denies Pope Francis brain tumor rumors

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes
Condemns claims as 'unfounded and seriously irresponsible.'

The Vatican has come forward denying all claims that Pope Francis is suffering from a brain tumor. News of the Pope's illness began circulating after the Italian newspaper 'Quitidiano Nazionale' reported the pope secretly travelled to visit Dr Takanori Fukushima to the San Rossore di Barbaricina clinic, in Tuscany.

Highlights

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - 'Quitidiano Nazionale' reported the doctor stated a "small dark spot on Francis' brain could be cured without surgery."

According to the Vatican, these claims are "unfounded and seriously irresponsible." Reverend Federico Lombardi stated the pope "is carrying out as always with his intense activities," according to the Daily Mail.

PRAY for Pope Francis NOW

'Quitidiano Nazionale' has replied to the condemning by expressing they expected the denial, but continue to stand by their original claims.

"I thank God that in this community the old and the ill are cared for. When the old and ill are not looked after there something wrong with the community," Pope Francis stated during a visit with a group of elderly and disabled people in Ostia earlier this year. "I ask you to pray for me - I am a bit old and a bit sick. But it's not too bad."


In other incidents, Pope Francis has made statements that question his well-being. He has expressed he only believes he will live for two or three more years.

The pope's other underlying health issues are widely known and accepted, including sciatica and his having a piece of his lung removed.

---


'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'


Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online

Come Grow With Us
Sign up and walk the Catholic journey with millions around the world.
Receive inspiring emails on saints, daily readings, and free faith-building resources—no cost, ever.

Catholic Online Is Free. But We Need Your Help.
Please Watch

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2026 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2026 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.