Pope Emeritus Benedict's 'condition remains serious,' Vatican says - ABC News

ROME and LONDON -- A time aft quality emerged that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's wellness had worsened wrong a fewer hours, a Vatican authoritative updated Thursday that helium "is perfectly lucid and alert."

"Although his information remains serious, the concern astatine the infinitesimal is stable," Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told reporters.

The Vatican besides renewed a telephone to commune for the erstwhile pope from the existent pope.

On Wednesday, Bruni said "the concern astatine the infinitesimal remains nether power and is perpetually followed by doctors," adding that helium could "confirm that successful the past fewer hours determination has been an worsening of his information owed to advancing age."

FILE PHOTO: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI gestures astatine the Munich Airport earlier his departure to Rome, June 22, 2020. Former Pope Benedict traveled to his autochthonal Germany successful 2020 to sojourn his ailing older brother.

Sven Hoppe/Pool via Reuters

The comments came aft Pope Francis asked for prayers successful his greeting assemblage for Benedict, who is 95.

"I inquire to each of you a peculiar supplication for the Pope Emeritus Benedict, who, successful silence, is sustaining the church," the pope said.

Francis visited his predecessor, who resigned successful 2013, successful the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery aboriginal successful the day, Bruni said Wednesday.

FILE PHOTO: Former pope Benedict, right, is greeted by Pope Francis during a ceremonial to people his 65th day of ordination to the priesthood astatine the Vatican, connected June 28, 2016.

Vatican Media/Reuters

"We articulation him successful praying for the Pope Emeritus," Bruni said.

The Vatican past released video footage of Benedict successful August, erstwhile the newest cardinals visited with him arsenic portion of a contented that's been ongoing since Francis became pope.

Benedict's information reportedly had worsened successful the days earlier Christmas, according to Italian quality bureau ANSA, which cited "qualified sources." ANSA reported Benedict had begun to endure from "respiratory problems" successful the days earlier the holiday.

Former pope Benedict looks connected arsenic helium receives the winners of the "Premio Ratzinger" astatine the Vatican, Dec. 1, 2022.

Fondazione Ratzinger via Reuters

Benedict spent Christmas astatine his residence successful the Vatican astatine the erstwhile Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, wherever a Christmas wide was celebrated for him successful the small chapel successful his home, ANSA reported.

ABC News' Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.