The 84 year-old Pope Francis today appointed a new personal doctor to replace his previous one, 78 year-old Fabrizio Soccorsi, who passed away on January 9 from COVID related complications. He had served in the role since 2015.
Dr Soccorsi had been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on 26 December because of cancer, but died due to “pulmonary complications” caused by COVID. Pope Francis had held a funeral service on 26 January for the late Dr Soccorsi.
During his medical career, he had been head physician of the hepatology ward in Rome’s San Camillo-Forlanini hospital and director of its department of liver diseases, the digestive system and nutrition; he also taught immunology at medical schools.
His replacement, Roberto Bernabei, is an expert in health care for the elderly. Dr Bernabei, 69, leads the geriatrics and rehabilitative medicine department at Rome’s Gemelli, which is the Catholic hospital where popes traditionally go to be treated.
It is believed the pontiff remains in good health, despite having had part of his lung removed after developing pleurisy as a young man. He received a COVID vaccine in early January alongside former pope Benedict.
Source: Eyewitness News
