Vatican denies Pope is suffering from brain tumour

The Director of the Holy See press office, Father Federico Lombardi on Wednesday denied an Italian media report that Pope Francis has "a small dark spot on the brain".

The Vatican described the report as "unfounded" and "seriously irresponsible", Efe news agency reported.

"The spread of the totally unfounded news of the health condition of the holy Father on the part of an Italian news agency is seriously irresponsible and not attention worthy," said Vatican spokesman Lombardi in a statement on Wednesday.

Italian dailies Quotidiano Nazionale and Il Resto del Carlino reported that the 78-year-old Pope had secretly travelled to a small Tuscan town to see a famous Japanese doctor.

The reports added that the Argentine pontiff was diagnosed with a treatable tumour without the need to operate.

Lombardi said Pope Francis was carrying out his activities as usual and the spread of unfounded rumours was "extremely irresponsible and not worthy of attention".

"Also, as all can see, the Pope continues to exercise his intense activity without interruption and in an absolutely normal way," he added.

Pope Francis was elected the Pope in March 2013.