Vatican: Pope Hit His Head in Mexico

Also, he has a pacemaker
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 14, 2013 9:30 AM CST
Vatican: Pope Hit His Head in Mexico
Pope Benedict XVI leaves after an audience with the Roman clergy in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Feb. 14, 2013.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Did Pope Benedict resign in a dazed concussion haze? Probably not, but the Vatican revealed today that his holiness whacked his noggin pretty good during his March 2012 Mexico trip, the AP reports. The admission followed an Italian newspaper report saying that while getting up in the middle of the night, Benedict hit his head so hard that blood stained his hair and sheets.

But the Vatican said the incident "was not relevant for the trip, in that it didn't affect it, nor in the decision" to resign. It was just the latest revelation about the retiring pope's failing health. Yesterday, the Church revealed that Benedict has a pacemaker, and that it had its batteries replaced as recently as three months ago. (More Pope Benedict XVI stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X