The Pope asks to pray for Benedict XVI 2:12
(CNN) --
The "condition of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI remains unchanged" and he was able to rest well overnight, the Vatican Press Office said Friday.
“The emeritus pope was able to rest well last night.
Yesterday afternoon he participated in the celebration of Holy Mass in his room and for the moment his condition remains unchanged, ”said the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni.
It is the latest update since the Vatican Press Office said in a statement on Thursday that the emeritus pope "is absolutely lucid and vigilant" and "although his condition remains serious, the situation at this time is stable."
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is "absolutely lucid and vigilant", says the Vatican Press Office
Pope Francis said on December 28 that his predecessor is "very ill" and asked for prayers for the 95-year-old former pope.
“I want to ask everyone for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict who supports the Church in his silence.
He is very sick, ”Francis said during his general audience.
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by making the almost unprecedented decision to resign his position citing "advanced age."
Benedict's announcement marked the first time a pope had resigned in nearly 600 years.
The last pope to resign before his death was Gregory XII, who resigned in 1415 to end a civil war within the Catholic Church in which more than one man claimed to be pope.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: details of his life, his historic resignation, his controversies and more
Benedict XVI was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany.
In 1953 he received his doctorate in theology from the University of Munich.
The pope emeritus served as the chief theological adviser to Pope John Paul II.
As dean of the College of Cardinals, it was his duty to call the cardinals to Rome for the conclave after the death of Pope John Paul II.
He is an accomplished pianist and has a fondness for Mozart.