Pope Benedict XVI presides at a mass naming seven new saints, Kateri Tekakwitha of the US, Jacques Berthieu of France, Maria Anna Cope of Germany, Pedro Calungsod from the Philippines, Maria Schaffer of Germany, Giovanni Battista Piamarta of Italy, Maria del Carmen of Spain, in St. Peter square at Vatican City on October 21, 2012. UPI/Stefano Spaziani |
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Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said he believes Benedict had the pacemaker fitted before he became pope eight years ago.
"The pope's health right now is what you see, of an 85 year old, who is almost 86, and who is starting to slow," he said. "He does have that heart condition. That was not the reason for the resignation. People have pacemaker batteries replaced all the time. His mind is clear. It's more in mobility, and slowing down a bit."
After February 28, Benedict will live in a convent inside the Vatican that was intended for cloistered nuns, but is now empty.