The Leader of the Catholic Church, Diocese of Tonga and Niue, His Eminence Soane Patita Cardinal Mafi is recovering well in hospital in New Zealand.
Radio Tonga reports the Cardinal received positive test results on Monday after collapsing in Auckland over the weekend.
His Eminence was on his way to Rome for a Vatican Committee meeting and ended up canceling his trip due to his medical condition.
He has expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the people of Tonga and members of the church for their prayers and support for his fast recovery while in hospital in Auckland.
Cardinal Mafi has been receiving visitors, people and priests at Middlemore hospital and he is confident that he is being empowered by the Holy Spirit during this Christian season of the Lent to be stronger physically and spiritually to fulfill his pastoral tasks.
He believes that suffering is the way of the cross and that draws him closer to his Lord.
His return to Tonga is yet to be confirmed.