Pope Francis’ personal doctor dies of Covid-19, as Pontiff misses scheduled baptism
Pope Francis’ personal doctor has died from coronavirus complications, according to the Vatican’s newspaper. It is unknown when he was last in contact with the pope, who missed a baptism ceremony hours after the news broke.
Francis’ doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, died on Saturday, Catholic News Agency reported, citing the Vatican’s newspaper L’Osservatore Romano.
Covid-19 complications were cited as the cause of the 78-year-old’s death, but Soccorsi had been receiving treatment since late December for an "oncological pathology," according to multiple reports.
Also on rt.com Pope to be vaccinated against Covid next week, labels opposition to jabs ‘suicidal denial’It is unclear whether Soccorsi had been in contact with the pope recently, and the doctor passed away at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, several kilometers from the pontiff’s Vatican residence.
Pope Francis took to Twitter on Sunday morning to apologize for missing a baptism ceremony in the Sistine Chapel. Francis did not explain his absence, and went on to offer prayers for the five people who lost their lives during Wednesday's riot on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Today I could not celebrate Baptisms in the Sistine Chapel, as is customary. I am praying for all the children who at this time are receiving Baptism, the Christian identity, the grace of forgiveness and of redemption.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 10, 2021
There is no indication at this time that the pope is sick. In an interview scheduled for broadcast on Italian television on Sunday, Francis announced that he will be vaccinated against Covid-19 next week, and called refusal to take the jab “suicidal denial.”
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