Posted on 12/28/2022 7:18:49 AM PST by Red Badger
Pope Francis asked for prayers for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Wednesday, saying his predecessor is “very ill.”
The surprise request came at the end of Francis’s audience at the Vatican.
"I would like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict,” Francis said. “Remember him, he is very ill, asking the Lord to console him and sustain him."
Francis did not expound on other details regarding Benedict’s health.
Following Francis's comments, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement explaining to the Associated Press that Benedict's health situation "at the moment remains under control, constantly monitored by doctors."
"Regarding the health conditions of the emeritus pope, for whom Pope Francis asked for prayers at the end of his general audience this morning, I can confirm that in the last hours, a worsening due to advanced age has happened,'' Bruni said.
Benedict, 95, resigned as the leader of the Catholic Church in February 2013 and has remained living at the Vatican. It was the first time in 600 years that a pope had resigned.
The former pontiff began serving as pope in 2005. Just before his resignation, Benedict said his age was limiting his ability to continue carrying out his papal duties.
Francis noted that Benedict “in silence is sustaining the Church.”
Earlier this month, Pope Francis, 86, revealed that he has prepared for the day he, too, might need to step down. Francis said he wrote a resignation letter at the time of his election in 2013 in the event medical problems impeded his ability to carry out his duties.
He should still be Pope.
“He should still be Pope.”
Agreed.
Many still believe he is the real pope as there was an invalid resignation.
It’s a theory and it gets complicated when you delve into it. I’m just trying to keep my faith as the world goes mad.
That is clever language.
First time I have seen that designation.
Emeritus wives and Emeritus girlfriends?
When my children ask for money can I claim to be their Emeritus father?
There are other theories that John XXIII was the first fake pope and it’s been fake popes ever since.
I still believe he did not resign voluntarily.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they’re poisoning him.
It's really apt, just not familiar because the situation is so rare.
Ageed. He had an amazing life. One for the history books.
There is no such thing as pope emeritus.
He’s not our security blanket, he belongs to the Father, who will bring him home at the desired time.
Thank You God for him, have mercy on his soul and may his suffering be only for Your Greater Glory and the souls it assists.
Pope Benedict abandoned the Church and made Pope Francis the pope. Anything Pope Francis did, Pope Benedict deserves the blame times two.
It’s a fraudulent term. There is no such thing.
How could they force him to resign.
Re: "Pope emeritus."
What is "fraudulent" about it? He is no longer the Pope, but retains the honor of the title.
Nah. They should’ve done that a lot sooner.
For a long time, becoming pope meant a certain violent end. If you can't handle the job, you don't take it.
I used to be an admirer of Pope Benedict, until he undertook to destroy the Church.
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