As reports of the story originally published in Italy's Quotidiano Nazione spread around the world, the Vatican issued three denials.

The report was called "a grave act of irresponsibility, absolutely inexcusable and unconscionable".

Quotidiano Nazionale reported on its front page on Wednesday that a Japanese doctor and his team had secretly flown from Tuscany to the Vatican on a helicopter bearing the Holy See's white-and-yellow flag to examine the Pope "some months ago".

Under the headline "The Pope is Sick", it said the Argentine pontiff was diagnosed with "a small dark spot on the brain", but that it was curable without surgery.

Dismissing the article, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, said: "I am able to confirm that the Pope is in good health."

The spokesman said he had checked directly with the Pope and other Vatican officials.

"No Japanese doctor has visited the Pope in the Vatican and there have been no examinations of the type indicated in the article," Fr Lombardi said.

The spokesman challenged anyone who thinks the Pontiff is seriously ill to try keeping up with him.

Quotidiano based its story largely on the supposed account of a nurse who reportedly saw medical notes under Francis's real name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Japanese neurosurgeon Takanori Fukushima did meet Pope Francis, but it was in October, 2014, according to a post on the surgeon's Japanese blog, which does not indicate any professional papal connection.

Andrea Cangini, the director of Quotidiano, said he had anticipated the Vatican reaction.

"This denial is understandable and to be expected," he said.

"We waited a long time before publishing the report in order to carry out every possible check. We don't have the slightest doubt that it is founded."

The Pope has appeared in good health in recent months apart from some leg pain due to sciatica, for which he undergoes regular therapy.

Sources

• Reuters
• AFP
• Image: Our Sunday Visitor