The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Francis appointed a personal health assistant. The new assistant is a nurse who saved the Pope’s life last year.
The Pope said about the new assistant that he is “A nurse, a man with a lot of experience, saved my life.”
The name of the new assistant is Massimiliano Strappetti, and will help the Pope with mobility problems.
The Vatican said in a statement: “The Holy Father has nominated Massimiliano Strappetti, nurse coordinator of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, as his personal healthcare assistant.”
According to the Catholic News Agency, Strappetti will work in coordination with Pope Francis’ personal physician Dr. Roberto Bernabei at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
Last week, Pope Francis II said he would not rule out resigning as head of the Catholic Church.And the 85-year-old pope told reporters, as he was returning to Rome on Friday evening from a visit to Canada.
The Pope, who holds Argentine citizenship, added that he “is not thinking of resigning now, but this does not mean that he cannot begin to do so the day after tomorrow.”
The Pope also spoke about his health, saying that “in the past six days, he could barely take a few steps and was in a wheelchair most of the time. The Pope suffers from a knee injury.”
“I don’t think I can go on with the same rhythm of travel as before,” he added.
