Doctor in Raleigh says he has never examined pope, reports false

By NICOLE WINFIELD and DANIELA PETROFF
Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) – A Japanese brain cancer specialist identified in an Italian news report as having diagnosed a brain tumor in Pope Francis has denied ever examining the pontiff and says the reports are “completely false.”

Dr. Takanori Fukushima, director of the Carolina Neuroscience Institute in Raleigh, issued a statement Wednesday through Duke University.

He said: “I have never medically examined the pope. These stories are completely false.”

Citing unnamed sources, the Italian news outlet National Daily said Fukushima had examined the pope and determined that the small dark spot on Francis’ brain was a tumor that could be treated without surgery.

The Vatican denied the reports Wednesday.

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