World leaders surviving serious illness: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Pope John Paul II

The quality of medical care and the degree of transparency communicated to the world whilst President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Pope John Paul II were seriously ill, as well as the global consequences of critical decisions they made during this time, were examined from published studies and through personal communications. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his last years, was secretive about his health and, with one exception, was probably given indifferent medical advice, arguably hung on to office too long which, at least for Europe, contributed to some negative outcomes. Pope John Paul II, when quite ill, was open and communicative about his illness, had high-quality medical and surgical care and, together with his spirited will, greatly contributed to favourable European political outcomes, and to European and world stability.