Today, Pope Francis called for prayers for his predecessor, former Pope Benedict XVI, who he says is very ill. According to Reuters, the pope made a surprise call at the end of his regular general audience, but did not give any details.
“I would like to ask all of you to offer a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who quietly supports the Church. Let’s remember him. He is very sick, and we ask the Lord to comfort and support him in this testimony of love for the Church to the end.” Francis said in Italian.
The Vatican has not yet commented on Benedict’s state of health, and no one answers calls to his residence in the Vatican. Reuters writes.
Now 95-year-old Benedict, real name Joseph Ratzinger, se in 2013 he became the first pope in about 600 years to step down from his post. Since then he has been living in the Vatican. He has been head of the Catholic Church since 2005.
Source: Blesk