Pope resignation: Pacemaker 'not a factor', says Vatican

A recent operation involving the Pope's pacemaker did not affect his decision to retire "in anyway", the Vatican has said.

Speaking at a news conference, Father Federico Lombardi referred to speculation about the surgical procedure in the Italian press.

He insisted that there was "no reason to try to look" for any specific reason for the Pope's shock announcement on Monday, other than "the advancement of age".