3 Apr 2017

Tonga's Cardinal collapses in Auckland

9:02 pm on 3 April 2017

Tonga's Cardinal, Soane Patita Mafi, is recovering in New Zealand after collapsing in Auckland as he was preparing for a trip to the Vatican.

The then Bishop of Tonga, Soane Patita Paini Mafi, arrives to attend a papal consistory for the creation of new Cardinals, on February 14, 2015 at St. Peter's basilica in Vatican.

Soane Patita Mafi - at the time Bishop of Tonga - attends a meeting for the creation of new cardinals at the Vatican in February 2015. Photo: AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO

He was feeling unwell when he left Nuku'alofa and was rushed to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital after he collapsed.

On Monday night, the Counties Manukau District Health Board said Cardinal Mafi's condition was stable.

His Vatican trip had been called off.

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