SW News: During the end of his customary Wednesday General Audience on December 28, Pope Francis surprised believers by urging them to pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, adding that he was “very sick”. However, no further details were provided.

Speaking in Italian, Pope Francis said, “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.” The Vatican is yet to provide more details regarding the health condition of the former pontiff.

The 95-year-old former pontiff was the first pope to step down in the past six centuries. After relinquishing his position in 2013, the pope emeritus has been residing in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Earlier, there were reports quoting his secretary that he was frail and was preparing himself to meet his Creator.

The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith during the pontificate of Pope St John Paul II, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger hailing from Germany was elected as his successor on April 19, 2005, at the age of 78. Taking the name of Benedict XVI after being inspired by the example of St Benedict of Nursia, the patron of Europe, his papacy was focused on re-evangelizing Europe and toeing the line of his predecessor in controversial issues such as abortion, ordination of women and priestly celibacy to name a few.