Former Pontiff Benedict XVI is very ill: Pope Francis on the condition of his predecessor

Former Pope Benedict XVI, 95, is very ill. It should be noted that he became the first Pontiff in 600 years to abdicate.

Pope Francis announced the state of his predecessor at a general audience. He called for prayer for the sick.

I ask all of you for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who silently supports the Church. Remember him – he is very ill – begging the Lord to comfort him and support him to the end in his testimony of love for the Church, – Pope Francis noted.

The Vatican specified that the condition of 95-year-old Benedict XVI suddenly worsened in the last few hours. However, the situation is now under medical control.

What you need to know about Benedict XVI

• Benedict XVI (at birth Joseph Ratzinger) is the 265th Pope. He was elected head of the Roman Catholic Church in 2005. However, in 2013 he abdicated.
• The Pontiff himself explained that he resigned due to poor health.
• Note that such an abdication of the Pope is the first in the last 600 years .
• Later, the media reported that Benedict XVI was seriously ill. In the Vatican, at first they denied this information and noted that the condition of the former Pontiff did not cause concern.
• In January 2022, it became known that Benedict XVI appears in the case of violence in the church.