Boston Catholics are joining others around the world in prayer as Pope Emeritus Benedict’s health worsens and is described as “very ill.” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is lucid, conscious and stable, but his health remains critical, the Vatican said Thursday. A day after authorities revealed that the 95-year-old’s health had recently deteriorated. “We join the prayers of Pope Francis in praying for Pope Emeritus Benedict at this time. May this holy season bring comfort and peace to all of us,” Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley tweeted. “Pope Francis asks you to continue to pray with him in these difficult times,” Bruni said Thursday in a statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. He was able to rest well last night, completely clear. And conscious, today, while his health remains poor, the situation is stable.” Born Joseph Ratzinger, he served as Cardinal Archbishop of Munich in the late 70s and early 80s before being elected pope in 2005 after the death of John Paul II. He announced his retirement in 2013. He shocked the church and the world. He was the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years.” In a sense, Benedict was humble, truthful, and honest, and in 85 or 86 he didn’t really go to work, and the best thing for the church to do was to retire. It was typical of him. Throughout his life he never sought fame, wealth or power for himself. “He’s a great theologian at heart, a great scholar,” said Thomas Groome, professor of theology at Boston College of Theology and Ministry. The church’s sex-abuse scandal affected his pontificate. He was the first pope to meet with the victims. He faced heavy criticism for not holding church leaders accountable for covering up the abuse. This year, Benedict in Munich. While head of the archdiocese he faced a damning report accusing him of mishandling sexual abuse cases by priests. In retirement, Benedict cited a lack of mental and physical strength, and he kept a low profile on Vatican grounds, devoting his life to prayer and meditation.
Boston Catholics join others around the world as Pope Emeritus Benedict’s health deteriorates and is described as “very ill.”
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is lucid, conscious and stable, the Vatican said Thursday, but the 95-year-old’s health remains critical, a day after officials revealed a recent deterioration in his health.
“We join the prayers of Pope Francis in praying for Pope Emeritus Benedict at this time. May this holy season bring comfort and peace to us all,” Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley tweeted.
In a statement released by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, Pope Francis asked for continued prayers “to accompany him in this difficult time.”
Bruni said Thursday that Benedict was able to rest well last night, was completely lucid and conscious, and although his condition was worse today, he is now in stable condition.
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Born Joseph Ratzinger, he served as Cardinal Archbishop of Munich in the late 70s and early 80s.
In 2013 he shocked the church and the world when he announced his retirement. He was the first pope to abdicate in nearly 600 years.
“In a sense, Benedict’s humility, truth, and honesty, at the age of 85 or 86, he really didn’t go to work, and the best thing for the church to do was to retire. That was typical of him. In his whole life he never sought fame or fortune or power for himself. He was a man at heart. Great theologian, great scholar,” said Thomas Groome, professor of theology at Boston College of Theology and Ministry.
The church’s sex abuse scandal plagued his papacy. Although he is the first pope to meet with victims, he has faced heavy criticism for not holding church leaders accountable for covering up abuse. This year, Benedict faced a damning report accusing him of mishandling sexual abuse cases by priests while he was head of the Archdiocese of Munich.
In retirement, Benedict cited a lack of mental and physical strength. He then kept a low profile on Vatican grounds, devoting his life to prayer and meditation.
