A nasty fall during his visit to Mexico last year may have contributed to Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to step down as leader of the world’s Roman Catholics.  The pontiff banged his head on a sink in the middle of the night and was alarmed when he woke up later in the morning with blood on his hair and pillow.

A priest who accompanied Benedict spoke anonymously to the Italian newspaper La Stampa, stating the Pope tripped because the 85-year old was disoriented in unfamiliar surroundings in the dark.  He also said the injury was not serious, and wasn’t even visible during his visit to the city of Leon because it was covered by his skullcap.  But the Pope and his posse took it very seriously. 

The Vatican confirms the Pope fell down but denies it had anything to do with his decision to step down.  Since announcing his impending resignation, it has also been revealed that the Pope has a pacemaker.  Benedict said he was resigning because he physically wasn’t up to the demands of the modern papacy.

The Pope officially steps down at 8:00 PM local time in Rome, on 28 February 2013