Prayers for Pope Benedict sought

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Saying that retired Pope Benedict XVI was “very sick,” Pope Francis asked people to offer special prayers for him.
“I would like to ask all of you for a special prayer for emeritus Pope Benedict,” Pope Francis said at the end of his weekly general audience Dec. 28.
“I join my voice today to that of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in asking for prayers for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Bishop McManus said Wednesday. “May Christ the Great Healer bring him comfort and inner peace at this time of his life. Join me in praying the words from Joshua Chapter 1 verse 9 today on his behalf: ‘Be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.’”
The 95-year-old retired pope “is sustaining the church in silence,” Pope Francis said. “Remember him. He is very sick. Ask the Lord to console him and sustain him in his witness of love for the church until the very end.”
Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, told reporters that Pope Francis went to Pope Benedict’s residence after the audience to visit him.