On Thursday, in what could be a further sign of a looming papal resignation, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had appointed a nurse from the Vatican’s health services to be his “personal medical assistant”, an entirely new role. Massimiliano Strappetti – Vatican coordinator of nurses and health facilities – will take up the position. The Pope has previously said Ms Strapetti saved his life by convincing him that he could no longer put off surgery after the Holy Father had been suffering from a narrowing of the colon.