Dr Patrizio Polisca is to leave his post as director of Vatican Health Services and as such will no longer be Francis's personal physician.

But he will continue to be private physician to Benedict XVI and will continue in other roles at the Vatican, including at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Italian media had speculated about an alleged "ousting" of Dr Polisca, who is a cardiologist.

But Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said the doctor's five year term as director of Vatican Health Services had ended.

"A rotation (of directors) is to be considered normal, based on regulations for directorial lay personnel in the Holy See and Vatican City," Fr Lombardi said.

"Polisca," Fr Lombardi emphasised, "will continue his invaluable service, as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's personal physician and will continue to reside in the Vatican."

Fr Lombardi said that Dr Polisca is "esteemed" in the Vatican and highlighted the "importance" of his continuing role as Benedict's personal physician.

Since Pope John Paul II, the Vatican Health Services director has traditionally served as the Pope's personal physician as well.

This tradition continued under Francis's pontificate.

But it seems Pope Francis has decided not to maintain this automatic link between the role of director of Vatican Health Services and personal physician to the Pope, a Vatican Insider article noted.

Francis reportedly decided at the end of May not to renew Dr Polisca's term.

It is not certain whether the Pope will officially announce the choice of his new doctor, the Vatican Insider article stated.

The choice of new director of the Vatican Health Services, on the other hand, should be announced soon.

Dr Polisca is expected to finish this role by August 1.

"We shall wait and see which doctor will accompany the Pope on his trip to Cuba and the United States in September," Fr Lombardi said.

Sources

• Vatican Insider
• Catholic News Agency
• Image: Baritalia News