Pope Francis Visual China Figure. Pope Francis said on December 28 that his predecessor, Benedict XVI, was "very ill" and called on believers to pray for Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis Visual China Picture

Pope Francis said on December 28 that his predecessor Benedict XVI (Benedict XVI) was "very ill" and called on believers to pray for Benedict XVI.

According to 28, Francis said at the end of the weekly general hearing that day, "I would like to ask everyone to say a special prayer for (former) Pope Benedict XVI who silently supports the church. He is very ill." Francis did not disclose more details.

The Holy See had no immediate comment on Benedict's condition, and calls from Reuters to his Vatican residence went unanswered.

The latest news shows that the Holy See confirmed that Benedict XVI's health condition has deteriorated.

The Pope is the Vatican head of state. After being elected, he serves for life and cannot be removed. The 95-year-old Benedict XVI, whose real name is Joseph Ratzinger, was born on April 16, 1927, in a devout Catholic family in Bavaria, southern Germany. He entered the Holy See in 1981 and has always played the role of guardian of doctrine. Benedict XVI is the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church. He was elected on April 19, 2005, officially took office on April 24, 2005, and resigned on February 28, 2013, becoming the first pope to announce his retirement in the past 600 years. He has lived in the Vatican ever since.