Pope has a pacemaker—implanted long ago, not a factor in resignation

CWN - February 12, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI has a pacemaker, the Vatican has disclosed. But the device was implanted well before he became Pontiff, is working well, and was not a factor in his decision to resign.

Pope Benedict has acknowledged that he suffered a mild stroke some years ago, but recovered from the effects. Since that time physicians have carefully monitored his heart, and Vatican spokesman insist that no particular health crisis prompted his resignation. Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters that the Holy Father recently had a minor operation to replace the battery in the pacemaker. The procedure went well, without any incident, he said.

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