Pope Benedict XVI Had Secret Surgery before Resignation

By James Bone
The Times UNITED KINGDOM
February 12, 2013

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article3685683.ece


Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to abdicate because of old age followed secret surgery late last year to replace the battery in his pacemaker, it has emerged today.

The 85-year-old pontiff had a new battery implanted to replace one in the pacemaker he received after suffering a stroke over a decade ago.

According to Italy’s Il Sole 24 business newspaper, the operation took place at the Pius XI clinic in Rome just under three months ago.