VATICAN CITY, April 20: The newly-elected pope suffered a brain haemorrhage in 1991 but has since recovered from it, his biographer John Allen was quoted as saying on Wednesday. Some people, including his brother, have questioned whether Joseph Ratzinger is too old to take on such a job.

Mr Allen told CNN that the 1991 haemorrhage “laid him down for a while, but he recovered from it”.

He added: “About two years ago he was experiencing fatigue, but appears to have picked up from that ... (he) appears to be in basically good health.”

A Vatican spokesman said that there were no concerns over the pope’s health.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...