Pope Francis Names Nurse Who He Said "Saved His Life" As Personal Aide

Vatican Metropolis, Holy See: Pope Francis named a Vatican nurse who he mentioned had "saved my life" to change into his private healthcare aide Thursday, a brand new position in response to his current {health} issues. "The Holy Father has nominated Massimiliano Strappetti, nurse coordinator of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, as his personal healthcare assistant," the Vatican mentioned in a brief assertion. The 85-year-old pope is all the time attended by healthcare employees, each within the Vatican and his abroad journeys, however this can be a new place linked to his current {health} issues, a Vatican supply instructed AFP. The Argentine pontiff suffers from knee ache that has pressured him to cancel quite a few occasions, and admitted final week after a visit to Canada that he should decelerate and even begin fascinated by retiring. Strappetti was extensively recognized because the Vatican hospital nurse hailed by the pope final yr for persuading him to bear surgical procedure for an irritation within the gut. "He saved my life!" the pope instructed Spanish radio Cope following his July operation, including that the nurse had been there for 3 a long time and was a "man with a lot of experience". Since early Could, the pope has used a wheelchair to maneuver round, or typically walks with a cane. He takes painkillers for his knee ache and likewise undergoes physiotherapy, in keeping with the Vatican. Nonetheless, final week Francis dominated out having surgical procedure, saying he was nonetheless struggling after-effects of the anaesthetic administered throughout final yr's operation. (Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)