Vatican officials revealed today that Pope Benedict has had a pacemaker for years, and recently underwent surgery to replace the implant’s battery.

Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi told reporters that the outgoing Pope had his pacemaker for "a long time" prior to being named Pope in 2005.

Benedict this week made the surprise announcement that he would resign from the papacy over concerns about his health. He no longer has the "strength of mind and body" to remain in his role, he told a group of cardinals in Rome on Monday, the U.K. Telegraph reported.