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Pope Benedict ahead of a trip to Germany in 2020
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SVEN HOPPE / AFP
After worrying news the day before, the Vatican has once again issued an update on the health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
informed.
As spokesman Matteo Bruni said, Benedikt was able to sleep well at night and is "stable at the moment".
"He is perfectly clear and conscious, although his condition remains serious," Bruni continued.
According to the Vatican, Benedict's successor in office, Pope Francis, again asked for prayers for the 95-year-old German, whose real name is Joseph Ratzinger.
During his general audience on Wednesday, Francis announced that Benedict was "very ill".
Francis did not initially give any details.
Benedict was reportedly suffering from breathing problems
According to the Holy See, Benedict's age-related condition had recently deteriorated;
the Ansa news agency reported breathing problems.
Later on Wednesday, the Vatican said the situation was “under control” and Benedict was being constantly monitored by doctors.
According to reports, he did not want to be taken to a hospital.
After Francis, clergymen and parishes around the world called to pray for Benedict.
In Germany, for example, Georg Bätzing, the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference and Bishop of Limburg, as well as the Archbishop of Munich and Cardinal Reinhard Marx did this.
Cologne's Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki, whom Benedict made cardinal in 2012, also joined the appeal.
Benedict's inauguration was celebrated in Germany
Benedict XVI
was the incumbent Pope from 2005, in 2013 he voluntarily retired.
It was the first time in centuries that a pontiff had not left office by death.
His assumption of office was celebrated by thousands because of his origins, especially in Germany.
Since his retirement, Benedict has lived in seclusion in the Vatican.
Rarely published photos showed him increasingly frail.
Critics accuse Benedict of not having opened the church sufficiently due to his conservative attitude.
In addition, the revelations of abuse scandals - such as during the time as archbishop in Munich and Freising - cast shadows on his vita.
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