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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Hebe Campbell

Why the Vatican gave unprecedented health updates on Pope Francis

The Vatican issued twice-daily medical briefings during Pope Francis’ lengthy hospitalisation as a deliberate strategy to “counter disinformation” about his condition, The Independent has been told.

As Pope Francis battled pneumonia in the final weeks of his life, his doctor held twice-daily press conferences—an unusually transparent move for such a high-profile figure.

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