Pope Francis says ex-pope Benedict is ‘very sick’, asks for prayers

VATICAN CITY – 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.

Pope Francis (right) greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during a meeting on Aug. 27, 2022 in Vatican City.
Pope Francis (right) greets former Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during a meeting on Aug. 27, 2022 in Vatican City.
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“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.

source: nypost.com