Vatican denies that Pope Francis is sick

Vatican denies that Pope Francis is sick
(Image credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

After scaling back on daily Masses and declining to hold public appearances in St. Peter's Square this July, Pope Francis sparked a wave of speculation about his health. This afternoon, the Vatican issued an official statement to let churchgoers know the pope is doing just fine.

"There is no sickness whatsoever," Rev. Thomas Rosica, a Vatican spokesperson, told CNN. "If there was, we would be open about that and asking people to pray for him." Rosica denied that the pope has any illness, despite his resting for two days earlier this month due to "minor indisposition."

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.