The situation with Pope Benedict XVI is rapidly getting worse, according to reports.
Pope Francis first broke the news that Pope Benedict XVI was ‘very ill’ at today’s General Audience, saying:
I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who is supporting the Church in silence. Remember him - he is very ill - asking the Lord to console him and to sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.
The Vatican press officer Matteo Bruni then reported that Pope Francis had visited Pope Benedict XVI, saying:
Now, National Catholic Register are reporting that:
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is suffering from aggravated kidney failure and had a recent modification to his pacemaker, an informed Vatican source has told the Register.
The source said Benedict XVI has been experiencing “kidney failure which has worsened in the last few hours.” The source added that the 95-year-old Pope Emeritus had a modification to his “pacemaker about a month and a half ago to regularize his heartbeats” but stressed that it was unrelated to his kidney failure.
The Vatican has yet to confirm his exact condition but confirmed on Wednesday that Benedict had experienced a sudden decline in his health, is currently stable and under medical care.
Please remember Benedict XVI in your prayers.
