Pope Francis Injured? Here's Why a Group of Medical Specialists Visited Vatican
Following his summons to the Vatican to treat Pope Francis's persistent knee injury, the Spanish football club Atlético de Madrid team physician described the pontiff as a "very charming and very stubborn" patient. Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images

The Vatican has enlisted the help of Atlético Madrid's team physician to care for Pope Francis's injured knee.

According to CNN, Spanish radio station COPE reported on the story of an orthopedic surgeon and traumatologist, José Mara Villalón, who said that he and several doctors went to see Pope Francis.

The Apostolic Nunciature of the Vatican in Spain and the Episcopal Conference both requested the team of experts to assist the Pope with his current position, according to Villalón.

The 85-year-old had to cancel a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan earlier this year after being advised by doctors that he would need 20 more days of rest and therapy for his right knee.

Spanish Football Club Physician Hopes to Improve Pope Francis's Health

Due to his knee condition, Pope Francis has been frequently spotted using a wheelchair or walking stick since May.

Although Villalón claimed he had been asked to "improve his mobility and stop his arthritic process" without resorting to surgery, the Vatican has not specifically stated what the issue is.

Villalón admitted to being "very nervous" when he first spoke to the pontiff because of the pressure he felt to regain his "world figure," according to COPE. After having a colon procedure in July 2021, Pope Francis made it clear that he did not want surgery, Villalón stated.

Villalón added, "Pope Francis is a very nice but very stubborn patient, in the sense that there are surgical proposals that he doesn't want. More conservative treatments must be offered to him."

He claimed that Pope Francis was not a typical patient and that the pontiff's hectic schedule made therapy more difficult, per The Guardian.

"But I'm optimistic. The Pope can be helped," the doctor said.

When Did Pope Francis's Injury Start?

Pope Francis first brought up the sickness in July. He said he suffered a "small fracture" in his knee and had torn a ligament after making a mistake, 1st News reported.

Villalón claims that Pope Francis suffers from "arthritis" that causes pain in "many joints."

Even more so, he said that sometimes it starts in a joint with arthritis, and other joints suffer because they carry more weight than usual. And he hopes to slow it down so it does not get any worse.

Villalón thinks Pope Francis has a "wonderful personality, he is very good, extremely lucid psychologically."

He added that he is a nice guy who appreciates your efforts and loves watching football.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis specifically mentioned his admiration for Argentine striker Angel Correa of Atlético de Madrid, who previously played for the San Lorenzo soccer team in Buenos Aires, National Catholic Register noted.

Correa has recently joined Argentina's national soccer team in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022, where Argentina lost shockingly to Saudi Arabia on November 22.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

Watch: Madrid's soccer team traumatologist visits Pope Francis for his knee problems - From ROME REPORTS in English