Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Concluding the General Audience on Wednesday morning Pope Francis asked the faithful for a "special prayer" for his 95-year-old predecessor, the Pope Emeritus ...

“We join him in prayer for the Pope Emeritus,” Mr. Bruni also said that after the General Audience in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis went to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican where Benedict XVI resides. Concluding the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis invited the faithful to say a "special prayer" for his 95-year-old predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis on Wednesday asked for prayers for former pope Benedict, saying he is “very sick.” Francis made in a surprise appeal.

[report](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ex-pope-benedict-admits-was-meeting-abusive-priest-rcna13252) in January found that he had failed to act in four cases of sexual assault when he was the archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982. He was drafted into the German anti-aircraft corps at 16 and was briefly detained by U.S. "He is very sick, asking the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the church, until the end.” He has been living in the Vatican since then. He [apologized](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-benedict-failed-act-abusive-priests-munich-church-report-finds-rcna12858) for the handling of the cases but admitted no wrongdoing. [Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's ](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/retired-pope-benedict-asks-forgiveness-handling-church-sex-abuse-cases-rcna15310)health has suddenly “worsened” in the recent hours, the Vatican said Wednesday after [Pope Francis ](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/pope-francis)asked for prayers for the former pontiff.

In New York City, Timothy Cardinal Dolan asked the faithful of the New York Archdiocese and all people of good will to join in prayer. Bishop Robert Brennan ...

The pope emeritus has stayed out of the public eye since his retirement. He was the first German pope in more than 1,000 years. He is the oldest pope ever, and is now on the minds of millions of Catholics who are praying for him. [Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/tag/pope-benedict-xvi/). We wish him the best. "I think what I remember the most is his unexpected retirement. We'll send prayers his way," another said. He did apologize but admitted no wrongdoing. Our prayers will be with him for sure," one person said. During his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, It's really sad," one person said. My impression was that he was a good man," another person said.

People around the globe are praying for Benedict XVI at the invitation of Pope Francis, as the Pope Emeritus' health remains stable but under ...

Major Archbishop Shevchuk met recently with Benedict at his residence in the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery on 10 November. He later recounted that the Pope Emeritus was “incredibly lucid, informed and solicitous about the situation in Ukraine, and had assured his prayers for the Ukrainian people.” “He is absolutely lucid and alert.

A statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Pope Francis asked for continued prayers “to accompany him in these difficult hours.” Advertisement. On ...

In the square, the line of tourists waiting to get into St. “We are proud here in Marktl that we have a Bavarian pope,” Maier, 50, said, recalling the two times she met him personally. “Maybe that’s why there’s such a long line.” “I believe that he is very calmly looking forward to this encounter.” John Lateran, Benedict’s former cathedral in his capacity as the bishop of Rome. Few had expected his retirement — now in its 10th year — to last longer than his eight-year reign as pope.

Pope Francis says Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 95, is 'very sick,' and requests prayers for the retired pontiff so God comforts him 'to the very end.'

His dramatic decision paved the way for the conclave that elected Pope Francis as his successor. Recent galleries can be seen on our photography page. Benedict stunned the world on Feb.

Many members of the Catholic church have been stopping by St Peter's Square to pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict whose health is worsening and is described as ...

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is "lucid and vigilant" but his condition remains serious, the Vatican said Thursday in an update on the former pontiff's health.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said many people would have “mixed feelings” about the life of Benedict. “I want to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict who sustains the Church in his silence. He was elected as the 265th pope in April 2005, following John Paul II’s death. Benedict’s announcement marked the first time a pope had stepped down in nearly 600 years. “We ask the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church to the very end.” [Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI](https://cnn.com/2022/12/28/europe/pope-benedict-sick-pope-francis-intl/index.html) is “lucid and vigilant” but his condition remains serious, the Vatican said Thursday in an update on the former pontiff’s health.

The health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI worsened, a Vatican official said on Wednesday.

Benedict's condition reportedly had worsened in the days before Christmas, according to Italian news agency ANSA, which cited "qualified sources." Benedict spent Christmas at his residence in the Vatican at the former Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, where a Christmas mass was celebrated for him in the little chapel in his home, ANSA reported. "We join him in praying for the Pope Emeritus," Bruni said.

A statement from a Vatican spokesman said Pope Francis asked for continued prayers “to accompany him in these difficult hours.”

In the square, the line of tourists waiting to get into St. John Lateran, Benedict’s former basilica in his capacity as the bishop of Rome. “Maybe that’s why there’s such a long line.” Few had expected his retirement — now in its 10th year — to last longer than his eight-year reign as pope. Benedict in 2013 became the first pope in 600 years to retire, and he chose to live out his retirement in seclusion in a converted monastery in the Vatican Gardens. On Wednesday Francis revealed that Benedict was “very ill” and went to see Benedict at his home in the Vatican Gardens where he has lived since retiring in 2013, sparking fears that he was near death.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI continues to remain in serious condition the Vatican said on Thursday.

He was the first pope to retire in 600 years. Bruni added that Benedict is constantly followed by doctors. [Benedict XVI](https://www.upi.com/topic/Pope_Benedict_XVI/) continues to remain in serious condition the Vatican said on Thursday.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is lucid, alert and stable but his condition remains serious, the Vatican said Thursday, a day after it ...

In the square, the line of tourists waiting to get into St. “We are proud here in Marktl that we have a Bavarian pope,” Maier, 50, said, recalling the two times she met him personally. “Maybe that’s why there’s such a long line.” “I believe that he is very calmly looking forward to this encounter.” John Lateran, Benedict’s former cathedral in his capacity as the bishop of Rome. Few had expected his retirement — now in its 10th year — to last longer than his eight-year reign as pope.

The anticipated death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI raises important ceremonial questions that at this moment cannot be fully answered.

As with other ceremonial details surrounding the death of a pope emeritus, we must wait to see what transpires. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. Notably, the Secretariat of State will not relinquish his office, as happens when a reigning pope dies.