Vatican says Benedict 16’s health is ‘worsening’ with age

After Pope Francis publicly said that Benedict XVI was “very ill”, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced on Wednesday (28) that it was “an aggravation due to his advancing age” on the 95-year-old emeritus.

However, Bruni also noted that the situation is “currently under control and is constantly monitored by doctors”.

“I can confirm that there is an aggravation associated with advancing age regarding the health conditions of the retired pope, to whom Pope Francis asked the general audience to pray at the end of this morning,” the spokesperson said.

Also, according to Bruni, Jorge Bergoglio visited Benedict XVI at the Convent of Mater Ecclesiae in the Vatican, after the general audience at which the Argentine priest requested a “special prayer” for Joseph Ratzinger.

“Remember him – he is very sick – asks God to comfort him, to support him to the end in this testimony of the love of the Church,” said the Pope.

Benedict XVI has been a recluse in the Vatican since he abdicated Peter in 2013. In December 2020, Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech announced that Ratzinger had “difficulty expressing himself” verbally, despite remaining “sound and smiling”.

Recently, the honorary pope has been in the news again because of an independent report that found “misconduct” regarding sexual harassment cases by priests when he was archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany (1977-1982).

The document formed the basis of a cover-up complaint filed in German court after pedophile priest Peter Hullerman, who was transferred to the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising in 1980 during Ratzinger’s rule, was accused of raping an 11-year-old child. old man. years old.

According to the lawsuit, Benedict XVI “was aware of the situation and at least did not take into account that this priest could repeat his crimes.”

Last November, a spokesperson for the Traunstein Tribunal in Bavaria said the honorary pope had expressed his intention to defend himself against prosecution.