Pope Francis asked for prayers for former Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday, saying he was “very ill”.
Francis made the appeal at the end of his general audience, without elaborating.
In 2013, Benedict, 95, became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign. He has lived in the Vatican ever since.
“I would like to ask everyone for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who, in silence, is supporting the Church. Let us remember him. He is very sick, asking the Lord to console him and support him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end,” Francis said, speaking in Italian.
There was no immediate comment from the Vatican on Benedict’s condition, and calls to his Vatican residence went unanswered.
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