Pope Francis asked for "special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who in silence is sustaining the Church." "He is very ill, we ask the Lord to console him and support him in this witness of love for the Church until the end." These few words hint at a delicate situation of the health condition of Benedict, who turned 95 last April 16. This was confirmed in a note by the director of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni, which reads, "Regarding the health conditions of the Pope Emeritus, for whom Pope Francis asked for prayers at the end of the general audience, I can confirm that in the last few hours there has been a worsening of the conditions due to advancing age. The situation at the moment remains under control, constantly followed by doctors." At the end of the general audience, Bruni added: "Pope Francis went to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to visit Benedict XVI. We join him in praying for the Pope Emeritus." Pope Ratzinger had resigned on February 11, 2013, and has been living in a nunnery within Vatican City ever since. (Photo Sergey Kozhukhov)
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