Matteo Bruni, the director of the Vatican press office, responded to questions from journalists this morning, December 28, after Pope Francis asked for prayers for Benedict XVI.
Bruni said, “I can confirm that in the last few hours there has been a deterioration due to advancing age. The situation at the moment remains under control, constantly followed by doctors.”
Bruni also said that after the general audience, when Francis asked for prayers for Benedict, the Pope went to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to visit his predecessor.
“We join him in praying for the Pope Emeritus,” he said.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is 95 years old