In Napoli, Italy, Anatolia
Vertadella, a 101-year-old woman, has given birth to a nine-pound baby, named
Francesco, after a controversial ovary transplant widely criticized by medical
professionals because of her advanced age.
The illegal and controversial surgical operation was done
in a private clinic in Turkey ,
where European laws on ovary transplants do not apply.
According to the centennial mother who does not wish to
disclose the name of the clinic where the operation was undertaken,
“I am very
grateful to all the team of doctors who decided to go on with the operation,”
she admitted in tears. “I am so grateful to have given birth to my 17th child.
This is a true blessing
and a testament to the power of the creator,” she told local reporters.
“For so long, I have felt
useless to God, I could not procreate since I turned 48 years old when I was
diagnosed with ovarian cancer. For a long time I believed God was punishing me
for only bearing 16 children, but in his godly generosity, he has granted me
with fertility once again,” acknowledges the century-old fervent Catholic.
Although he admits the
procedure is highly controversial, Dr. Alexandro Popolicchi believes the
ultimate decision was up to his patient to make.
“Who am I to
judge if it is the proper thing to do? She has given birth to a beautiful baby
and this miraculous birth is definitely a gift from God!” he told reporters.
“The operation
was completely legal in Turkey
and undertaken by a handful of expert surgeons. The lady is in great health for
her age and I predict she has still a many good years in front of her to share
with her child. So many children are born in this world unwanted or by
accident. Is it not a beautiful thing to know this child comes to life in a
loving home?” he asked reporters.
Although Miss Vertadella’s husband has passed away since
1998, the century-old widow has managed to find a sperm donor to make the birth
possible. “I met Francesco’s father on the internet while trying to find a
father for my child. This 26-year-old man is a Catholic and that is all that is
important to me.
“I wanted my child to be born
in a union sanctified by the Catholic Church. I know we are not married and
that he will not play a part in Francesco’s life, but I have written to the
pope to ask his absolution. I have also named my child after the pope in his
honor and so I believe he should find a place in his heart to forgive me in
this particular situation. I still love my deceased husband and desire to stay
a widow until I leave this earth, but I needed the seed of this young fervent
Catholic to fulfill God’s will,” she explained
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