15°c Overcast
16°c Light rain
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Vatican acknowledges that pope had a pacemaker; batteries were replaced months ago
FILE - This June 30, 2010 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI blessing faithful as he leaves St. Peter's square at the Vatican at the end of his weekly general audience. Benedict XVI always cast himself as the reluctant pope, a shy bookworm who preferred solitary walks in the Alps to the public glare and the majesty of Vatican pageantry. But once in office, he never shied from charting the Catholic Church on the course he thought it needed — a determination reflected in his stunning announcement Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, that he would be the first pope to resign since 1415. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, files)
Related Items
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is acknowledging for the first time that Pope Benedict XVI has had a pacemaker for years and that its battery was replaced a few months ago in secret.
Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said Benedict had the pacemaker installed "a long time" before he became pope in 2005. He called the latest medical procedure "routine."
It was the first time the Vatican has mentioned a papal pacemaker.
Italian daily Il Sole 24 said the pope had the pacemaker procedure less than three months ago in a Rome hospital and did not miss any public appearances.
Benedict is resigning on Feb. 28 because he says he has become too infirm to handle the burdens of the papacy. He will become the first pope to step down in six centuries.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
05/21/2013 10:02 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Serena Williams beats Sharapova to win 50th career title in Madrid; Nadal wins men's event
- Sean Penn urges US to pressure Bolivia to free American businessman held nearly 2 years
- Ten years after 9-11, Canada-U.S. relationship has both trouble spots and bright spots
- Man United writes to Russian ice hockey team sharing experience of rebuilding from air crash
- Alberta town's plan to eliminate rabbit scourge has some people hopping mad
- Ethan Hawke bites back at proposed St. Lawrence offshore drilling
- Montreal landmark beating out some of world's most famous sites in Lego contest
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Military ombudsman appeals to defence chief over home-equity losses
- Actress Sophie Turner drops hints on 'Game of Thrones' season 3
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Amanda Berry, 1 of 3 women freed after held captive in Ohio home, arrives at sister's home
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.