杏MAP导航 Francis asks for prayers for Benedict XVI

杏MAP导航

At the end of the General Audience, 杏MAP导航 Francis asks for 鈥渟pecial prayers鈥� for Benedict XVI 鈥渨ho is very ill.鈥� The Holy See Press Office director confirms there has been an aggravation in his health condition but says the situation remains stable.

By Linda Bordoni

Concluding the General Audience on Wednesday, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited the faithful to say a "special prayer" for his 95-year-old predecessor, 杏MAP导航 Emeritus Benedict XVI.

鈥淚 would like to ask you all for a special prayer for 杏MAP导航 Emeritus Benedict, who in silence is supporting the Church. 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.鈥�

Advanced age

Answering questions put to him by journalists, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed, "In the last few hours there has been an aggravation of his health due to advancing age.鈥�

He added that the situation 鈥渁t the moment remains under control,鈥� and that the 杏MAP导航 Emeritus is constantly monitored by doctors.

Mr. Bruni also said that after the General Audience in the Paul VI Hall, 杏MAP导航 Francis went to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican where Benedict XVI resides.

鈥淲e join him in prayer for the 杏MAP导航 Emeritus,鈥� Mr. Bruni said.

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