Pope fitted with pacemaker ‘some time ago’, says Vatican
13 Feb 2013 7:11 AM IST
Pope Benedict XVI had a heart pacemaker installed some time ago but was not suffering from poor health and remained lucid and serene in the wake of his decision to resign, the Vatican spokesman said on Tuesday.
It had not been generally known that the 85-year-old pope had been fitted with a pacemaker.
Father Federico Lombardi said the batteries on the appliance were replaced three months ago in a minor, routine intervention but that had played no part in persuading the pontiff to take the shock decision to step down.
‘It had no influence on the decision, the reasons were in his perception that his strength had diminished with advancing age,’ Lombardi told a press briefing at the Vatican.
HOLLANDE DRAWS IRE OVER POPE JOKE
French President Francois Hollande came under fire on Tuesday after cracking a joke about Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign because of his failing health.
At a press conference with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, Hollande initially observed sombrely that the Catholic church should be left in peace to organise Benoit's succession.
But he could not resist adding with a smirk: ‘We won't be putting up a candidate!’
The Socialist leader's irreverence at a time of great consternation for many Catholics was slammed as inappropriate by former interior minister Claude Geant.
‘Everyone knows that Francois Hollande is not very well disposed to religion in general and to the Catholic church in particular,’ Geant said.
It had not been generally known that the 85-year-old pope had been fitted with a pacemaker.
Father Federico Lombardi said the batteries on the appliance were replaced three months ago in a minor, routine intervention but that had played no part in persuading the pontiff to take the shock decision to step down.
‘It had no influence on the decision, the reasons were in his perception that his strength had diminished with advancing age,’ Lombardi told a press briefing at the Vatican.
HOLLANDE DRAWS IRE OVER POPE JOKE
French President Francois Hollande came under fire on Tuesday after cracking a joke about Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign because of his failing health.
At a press conference with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, Hollande initially observed sombrely that the Catholic church should be left in peace to organise Benoit's succession.
But he could not resist adding with a smirk: ‘We won't be putting up a candidate!’
The Socialist leader's irreverence at a time of great consternation for many Catholics was slammed as inappropriate by former interior minister Claude Geant.
‘Everyone knows that Francois Hollande is not very well disposed to religion in general and to the Catholic church in particular,’ Geant said.
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