VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis named a Vatican nurse who he said had “saved my life” to become his personal health care aide Thursday, a new role in response to his recent health problems.
“The Holy Father has nominated Massimiliano Strappetti, nurse coordinator of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, as his personal health care assistant,” the Vatican said in a short statement.
The 85-year-old pope is always attended by health care staff, both in the Vatican and his overseas trips, but this is a new position linked to his recent health problems, a Vatican source told AFP.
The Argentine pontiff suffers from knee pain that has forced him to cancel numerous events, and admitted last week after a trip to Canada that he must slow down or even start thinking about retiring.
Strappetti was widely identified as the Vatican hospital nurse hailed by the pope last year for persuading him to undergo surgery for an inflammation in the intestine.
“He saved my life!” the pope told Spanish radio Cope following his July operation, adding that the nurse had been there for three decades and was a “man with a lot of experience.”
Since early May, the pope has used a wheelchair to move around, or sometimes walks with a cane.
He takes painkillers for his knee pain and also undergoes physiotherapy, according to the Vatican.
However, last week Francis ruled out having surgery, saying he was still suffering after-effects of the anaesthetic administered during last year’s operation.
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Pope names nurse who ‘saved my life’ as personal aide
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Pope names nurse who ‘saved my life’ as personal aide
- The 85-year-old pope is always attended by healthcare staff
- Strappetti was widely identified as the Vatican hospital nurse hailed by the pope last year
’No. 1 fan’: Rapper Minaj backs Trump
- Rap icon Nicki Minaj declared Wednesday she was Donald Trump’s “number one fan,” adding that “hate” directed at the US president made her support him more
WASHINGTON: Rap icon Nicki Minaj declared Wednesday she was Donald Trump’s “number one fan,” adding that “hate” directed at the US president made her support him more.
Republican Trump called the provocative singer-songwriter up on stage after she announced her support for so-called “Trump Accounts,” which provide trust funds for children.
“I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” said Minaj, who wore a furry white coat as she embraced Trump and took the podium.
“And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”
The Trinidadian star, 43, added that she would not let the billionaire president’s opponents “get away with bullying him and you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work.”
“He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen.”
Trump, who had earlier joked that he would grow out his nails to emulate the “Starships” and “Super Bass” rapper, then held her hand while another speaker took the podium.
The self-proclaimed “Queen of Rap” is known for her shape-shifting musical and fashion styles — but she has also radically modified her politics in recent years.
Previously a critic of Trump’s hard-line immigation policies, Minaj has moved in recent years to praising his leadership.
In November she made a surprise appearance at the United Nations to call for an end to faith-based persecution in Nigeria, an allegation by the Trump administration which the government there denies.
Republican Trump called the provocative singer-songwriter up on stage after she announced her support for so-called “Trump Accounts,” which provide trust funds for children.
“I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” said Minaj, who wore a furry white coat as she embraced Trump and took the podium.
“And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”
The Trinidadian star, 43, added that she would not let the billionaire president’s opponents “get away with bullying him and you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work.”
“He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen.”
Trump, who had earlier joked that he would grow out his nails to emulate the “Starships” and “Super Bass” rapper, then held her hand while another speaker took the podium.
The self-proclaimed “Queen of Rap” is known for her shape-shifting musical and fashion styles — but she has also radically modified her politics in recent years.
Previously a critic of Trump’s hard-line immigation policies, Minaj has moved in recent years to praising his leadership.
In November she made a surprise appearance at the United Nations to call for an end to faith-based persecution in Nigeria, an allegation by the Trump administration which the government there denies.
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