Pope Francis prayed for his predecessor at the general audience on Wednesday Benedict XVI called.
“I would like to ask everyone for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who is silently supporting the Church. Think of him, he is very sick, and ask the Lord to console him and support him until the end in this witness of love for the Church”, Francis said at the end of the audience.
“In the last few hours, Bento’s health has deteriorated due to advancing age”, he confirmed shortly afterwards. Matteo Bruni, the spokesman for the Holy See. “The situation currently remains under control and is being constantly monitored by doctors.”
After the general audience, Pope Francis went to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to greet 95-year-old Benedict XVI. visit. “We join him in praying for the Pope Emeritus,” Bruni said.