Benedict XVI in serious but “stable” condition: the Vatican gives news of the ex-pope

Europe 1 with AFP 4:05 p.m., December 29, 2022

The 95-year-old ex-Pope Benedict XVI, for whom his successor Francis called to pray, is still Thursday in a serious but "stable" condition and remains "totally lucid", according to the Vatican.

"The pope managed to rest well last night, is awake and totally lucid, and today, although his condition remains serious, the situation at this stage is stable," the director of the service said in a press release. Vatican press, Matteo Bruni.

Pope Francis "renews the invitation to pray for him and to accompany him in these difficult times", he added.

"It's his vital functions that let go"

François had announced on Wednesday that his predecessor was "seriously ill" and that he was praying for the one whose renunciation in 2013 for health reasons had taken the world by surprise.

"His health deteriorated about three days ago. It is his vital functions that are failing, including the heart," a Vatican source told AFP, adding that no hospitalization was planned, the residence of Benedict XVI with the necessary medical equipment.

Francis himself visited Benedict XVI on Wednesday at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, the residence of the pope emeritus located in the heart of the Vatican gardens.

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The former pope has appeared increasingly fragile in recent months, moving around in a wheelchair, but continuing to receive visitors.

The photos of his last visit received, dating from December 1, showed a frail and visibly weakened man.

On the last public video of Benedict XVI, released by the Vatican in August, we also see a thinner man, equipped with a hearing aid, no longer able to speak but with still lively eyes.

The president of the French episcopal conference, Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, tweeted a message of support for Benedict XVI: "Lord, the Catholics of France, in communion with Pope Francis and the whole Church, entrust your servant to you. Benedict XVI and those who watch over him".

Senior church leaders in Italy, Germany, the United States and South America issued similar messages.

A mass will be celebrated for him on Friday at the Roman basilica of Saint John Lateran, which depends directly on the Vatican.

Lord, the Catholics of France, in communion with Pope Francis and the whole Church, entrust to you your servant Benedict XVI and those who watch over him.

— Bishop of Moulins-Beaufort (@Mgr_EMB) December 28, 2022

Conservative line

Benedict XVI, whose eight-year pontificate (2005-2013) was marked by multiple crises, was overtaken at the start of 2022 by the drama of child crime in the Church.

Questioned by a report in Germany on his management of sexual violence when he was archbishop of Munich, he came out of his silence to ask for "pardon" but assured that he had never covered up a child criminal.

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His renunciation, announced in Latin on February 11, 2013, was a personal decision linked to his declining strength and not to the pressure of scandals, assured the former pope in a book of confidences published in 2016. Even if he did not never attained the popularity of his charismatic predecessor John Paul II, Benedict XVI is a highly respected personality in the Catholic world, particularly for his qualities as a brilliant theologian.

As head of the Catholic Church, he defended a conservative line, notably on abortion, homosexuality or euthanasia.

His statements have sometimes shocked, as on Islam, the use of condoms against HIV or the excommunication of four fundamentalist bishops in 2009. His pontificate was also marked in 2012 by the leak of confidential documents ("Vatileaks" ) orchestrated by his butler.

The scandal exposed a Roman Curia (Vatican government) plagued by intrigue and lacking financial rigor.