The Pope has said his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI is “very sick” and asked the faithful to pray for the retired pontiff so God will comfort him “to the very end”.
Pope Francis did not give any details on Benedict’s condition as he made the appeal at the end of his general audience. But the Vatican has said the former pope’s condition has “worsened due to age” in recent hours.
In a brief statement tweeted by the Vatican, they said: “I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who in silence is supporting the Church. Remember him - he is very ill - asking the Lord to console him, and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.”
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Benedict became the first pope in some 600 years to resign in 2013, with the former pontiff taking the title pope emeritus. The 95-year-old has been living in the Vatican.
Pope Francis said earlier: “I’d like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Emeritus Pope Benedict, who, in silence, is sustaining the church. I remind you that he is very sick.
“Let’s ask the Lord to comfort him and sustain him in this testimony of love to the church to the very end.”
Pope Francis went to visit Benedict after the service. A Vatican spokesperson said he is receiving constant medical care and his condition is “under control”.
Benedict resigned in 2013 due to his “deteriorating” health.
In his resignation letter he said: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”
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