PopeWatch finds this unlikely. The Pope is giving no overt signs of illness and usually pancreatic cancer is discovered at a stage where mortality is measured in weeks rather than months, and usually accompanied with dramatic physical manifestations, including drastic weight loss and jaundice. The Pope might have cancer, but PopeWatch doubts the Pope’s pancreas is involved.
PopeWatch: Hmmm
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 41 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Side note for the next conclave: I thought we had learned by now that the challenges of the modern world called for someone with vigor as well as piety. This is usually found in a person not yet in their seventh or eighth decade.
How about the next conclave order us up an orthodox Pope this time. And not among themselves. Someone that knows Latin wouldn’t hurt and he doesn’t even have to be a bishop. Fr James Altman comes to mind. Since he was cancelled, I am sure he has time to write his acceptance speech. I pray for a happy death for Pope Benedict when the time arrives. Not so for pope Brandon.
St PJP2 Parkinson’s was widely known, probably because it wasn’t something he could hide. However, why is Pope Francis hiding his illness? Sharing his illness will allow the faithful to share in his journey of suffering. It’s an act of humility. It also gives those, who are also ill, strength by being united with our Pope during his illness. Also he is a public figure. So I’m wondering why all the secrecy? We have a right to know.
If my mother’s death from pancreatic cancer is any example and representative, she declined quickly and in great pain.
My prayers for the repose of your Mom’s soul Webster. Cancer is never a good way to go, but pancreatic cancer is right up there with the worst.
The tweet suggests there is cancer in his pancreas. It is possible for colon cancer to spread to the pancreas, though it is unusual for the pancreas to host metastatic cancers.
Esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer are the two most virulent in our time, though there have been some slow improvements in life extension over the last 50 years. In re pancreatic cancer, if they catch it before it spreads to the lymph nodes, you commonly have a few years. They can successfully treat some cases with surgery. The trouble is that pancreatic cancer will recur a few years down the line.