Pope Benedict ‘very sick’ as Pope Francis asks for prayers for his predecessor in worrying message

POPE Francis said his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI is “very sick” in a worrying message as he called for prayers for the former head of the Catholic Church. Francis made the surprise appeal for the 95-year-old at the end of his audience at the Vatican this morning.  ReutersPope Emeritus Benedict XVI is said to be ‘very sick’[/caption] ReutersPope Francis greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during a meeting in 2020[/caption] “I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who in silence is supporting the Church,” he said. “Remember him – he is very ill – asking the Lord to console him, and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.” Francis didn’t elaborate on the condition of Benedict – who resigned as pontiff in February 2013, the first pope to retire in 600 years. Benedict served as the head of the Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2005 until his resignation in 2013. Since then, he has been living in the Vatican. Benedict has become increasingly frail in recent years as he dedicates his post-papacy life to prayer and meditation. Back in 2013, he cited his declining physical and mental health in his decision to become the first pope since 1415 to give up the job as head of the Catholic church. In April, Benedict’s long-time secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, said the ex-pope was “physically relatively weak and fragile” – but “in good spirits”. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY… The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.