Joseph Ratzinger's condition has worsened and Bergoglio urges the faithful to remember him in prayers 'until the end'. The pontiff emeritus will turn 96 next April

Pope Francesco with Joseph Ratzinger

“I would like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who is silently supporting the Church”. Pope Francis thus concludes the last general audience of 2022, in the Paul VI Hall. Claudicating, leaning on a stick, suffering, the Pontiff also urged to 'Remember him, he is very ill, asking the Lord to console him, to support him in this testimony of love for the Church, until the end'. A flash, the latter, which seemed to illuminate the possibility of an epilogue and alarmed many observers about the fate of Benedict XVI, who will turn 96 next April. Pope Francis, at the end of the audience, went to visit the Pope Emeritus at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery.

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THE CONFIRMATION IN THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF THE VATICAN - After the words of Pope Francis, Matteo Bruni, the director of the Vatican press office, intervened on the matter with an official statement which essentially confirms the worsening of Joseph Ratzinger's health conditions: 'Regarding the health conditions of Pope emeritus, for whom Pope Francis asked for prayers at the end of this morning's general audience, I can confirm that in the last few hours there has been an aggravation due to advancing age. The situation at the moment remains under control, followed constantly by the doctors. At the end of the general audience, Pope Francis went to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to visit Benedict XVI. We join him in praying for the Pope Emeritus'.

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Source: oggi.it