The death of Benedicto, 95, occurred at 09:34 hours, local time, in the place that had been his residence since 2013, when he resigned for health reasons, after eight years of pontificate.
On December 28, Bruni confirmed in statements to reporters that Benedict XVI’s health had worsened due to his advanced age, after Pope Francis made reference to the delicate health of his predecessor in his general audience.
The Supreme Pontiff requested that day a “special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who in silence is supporting the Church,” after which he went to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, in the Vatican Gardens, to visit the sick prelate.
We must remember him, he is very bad, “asking the Lord to console him, and sustain him in this testimony of love for the Church, until the end,” Francis added, although Bruni later clarified that “for now, the situation remains under control, constantly monitored by doctors.”
In fact, on Friday, the Vatican’s press director reported that Benedict’s health was under control and noted that “last night the Pope Emeritus was able to rest well. Yesterday afternoon he also participated in the celebration of a holy mass in his room.”
After his resignation in February 2013, Joseph Ratzinger moved to the Mater Ecclesiae residence, where he lived for nine years accompanied by his secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein, a doctor, a nurse and four consecrated lay women, from the Memores Domini association, who took care of him.
jg/ro/ort
