Pope Francis says ex-pope Benedict is 'very sick', asks for prayers
Pope Francis said Wednesday that former pontiff Benedict XVI, 95, whose health has steadily been deteriorating, is "very ill" and he is praying for him.
- World
- Reuters & AFP
- Published Date: 12:49 | 28 December 2022
- Modified Date: 12:53 | 28 December 2022
Pope Francis asked for prayers for former pope Benedict on Wednesday, saying he is "very sick".
Francis made the surprise appeal at the end of his general audience, giving no details.
Benedict, 95, in 2013 became the first pope in some 600 years to resign. He has been living in the Vatican since then.
"I would like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who, in silence, is sustaining the Church. Let us remember him. He is very sick, asking the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end," Francis said, speaking in Italian.
There was no immediate comment from the Vatican on the state of Benedict's health, and phone calls to his residence in the Vatican were not answered.
- Ukraine: Fresh wave of Russian drone attacks in south and east
- Australia says no change to rules regarding travellers from China
- 950 Palestinian houses, facilities demolished by Israeli forces in 2022
- Bolivia arrests key opposition leader: government
- Tunisia's Saied downplays puny poll turnout, slams critics