The former pontiff has remained living in The Vatican since retiring from his post in 2013
He made no further details of the nature of the former-pontiff's illness, but made the request at the end of his general audience and tenth Christmas blessing at The Vatican.
The leader of the Catholic Church said: “I would like to ask all of you to pray a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict."He called on people to “remember him, because he is very ill, asking the Lord to console and support him”.He was the first ever pope to resign in six centuries, and has rarely been seen since his retirement.
At the time of his retirement, the nonagenarian cited his declining physical and mental health in his decision to give up the job as head of the worldwide Catholic church. In his resignation letter he said: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry."The Vatican has not made an official statement regarding former Pope Benedict XVI's health, nor Pope Francis's public request for prayer.
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