Pope Francis asked his followers to pray for his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who the Vatican confirmed is receiving constant medical care after his health has seriously deteriorated "due to advancing age."
At the end of his weekly general audience at the Holy See, Pope Francis addressed his faithful asking for prayers for the 95-year-old former pope's health. Subsequently, the pontiff repeated his message on social media.
#PrayTogether for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who in silence continues to pray for the Church. Let us ask the Lord to comfort and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.
- Pope Francis (@Pontifex_en) December 28, 2022
In 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign in 600 years. One of the most recent photos of the former pope came on Dec. 1, when he met with several theologians and appeared in a delicate state.
Benedict XVI with Father Michel Fédou and Joseph Weiler (Ratzinger Prize 2022), Msgr. Georg Gänswein, Father Federico Lombardi and Pierluca Azzaro (yesterday, Thursday, December 1, 2022)
Photos from the Joseph Ratzinger Vatican Foundation - Benedict XVI 👇 https://t.co/VKhuFeUAVD pic.twitter.com/06Hp3ZJ7k9
- Maronitas ن (@maronitas_es) December 3, 2022
Benedict XVI resigned nearly a decade ago citing a lack of physical and mental strength to lead the Catholic Church. Since then, he has been living in a former convent, retired from public life.
