14 DAY TRIAL // Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world when he announced he was resigning because of health and age considerations, with Vatican spokespeople insisting not even they knew about it until he went public with the announcement.
As it turns out, the decision to resign was neither a secret nor recent, the AP writes in a lengthy piece.
Several papal secrets have emerged to light in recent days, including how the Pope had a pacemaker and surgery to replace the batteries on it, how he hit his head and bled profusely on a recent visit to Mexico, and how his new lodgings have been in construction for months.
In other words, despite the Vatican’s attempts at acting surprised by the Pope’s decision, chances are everyone knew about it.
“You have to understand that actually every Vatican employee and official takes an oath of secrecy when they assume their job,” John Thavis, author of “The Vatican Diaries,” tells the AP.
“And this isn't something that is taken lightly. They swear to keep secret any office matters and anything pertaining to the pope,” Thavis adds.