Pope Francis has said that former Pope Benedict XVI is very ill and has asked visitors to the Vatican to pray for him.
Benedict, 95, became the first leader of the Catholic Church to resign in 2013, citing the age of advancement in 600 years.
At the end of the Pope’s last audience of the year, he asked people to “say a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict”.
The Vatican then said that the former pope’s health had deteriorated in recent hours.
Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the situation is under control at the moment, with doctors constantly monitoring him.
Pope Francis was addressing a general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall when he looked up from a piece of paper and spoke about Benedict’s declining health.
He then visited him at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, where Benedict has lived since leaving his post.
Earlier this month, Francis revealed that he often visited his predecessor.
Speaking of Benedict as a “saint” and a man of high spiritual life, he said the former pope was cheerful and had a great sense of humor.
“He speaks softly but follows your conversation,” she told Spanish newspaper ABC.
Benedict XVI was 85 when he shocked Catholics around the world in February 2013 with his decision to step down as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, less than eight years after being elected pope.
No pope had resigned since Gregory XII abdicated in 1415.
