False reports in the last few weeks reported that Benedict XVI’s health was in dire conditions. Those reports were silenced by the Vatican, particularly with a picture tweeted October 18 by the director of the Vatican press office, Greg Burke (see below), showing the pope standing with guests.
However, since then the 90-year-old pope emeritus has suffered a fall resulting in a black eye, as Facebook images published by Bishop Stefan Oster of Passau, Germany, reveal.
The bishop visited Benedict on Thursday, October 26, together with the journalist Peter Seewald, the author of various book-interviews with Benedict.
The guests gave the pope emeritus a book with a collection of texts dedicated to his life and works.
Bishop Oster explained that Benedict’s right eye was bruised due to a fall in the house a week ago, but that he is well and continues receiving visitors.
“What a warm meeting today in Rome with our beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI … Though Pope Benedict fell a week ago and has a black eye, he has received us well, full of spirit, and with many memories of small and big things regarding people of his diocese and of ours. He sends his greetings and has given his blessing to all of us.”
The Pope Emeritus, Today at 5 p.m. pic.twitter.com/cnTzrt9qv3
— Greg Burke (@GregBurkeRome) October 18, 2017
And today we celebrate...