Pope Francis' doctor dies from COVID-19 complications —report

The personal doctor of Pope Francis has died from health complications related to COVID-19, according to a report posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines News' website.

Citing the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, the report said 78-year-old physician Fabrizio Soccorsi died at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. He was undergoing treatment for an “oncological pathology.”

Pope Francis named Soccorsi his personal physician in August 2015, not renewing the term of papal doctor Patrizio Polisca, who was also head of the Vatican’s healthcare services.

As a personal doctor of Pope Francis, Soccorsi traveled with the pope on his international trips.

Soccorsi trained in medicine and surgery at Rome’s La Sapienza University. His career included both medical practice and teaching, especially in the areas of hepatology, the digestive system, and immunology.

He also did consulting for the health and hygiene office of the Vatican City State and was part of the council of medical experts at the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, the report said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News