Pope Francis has said his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI is “very sick” and asked the faithful to pray for the retired pontiff so God will comfort him “to the very end”.
Francis did not elaborate on Benedict’s condition as he made the surprise appeal at the end of his general audience.
But the Vatican has said the 95-year-old’s condition had suddenly “worsened due to age” in recent hours.
Benedict became the first pope in some 600 years to resign in 2013, with the former pontiff taking the title pope emeritus.
Since then, he has been living in the Vatican.
“I’d like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Emeritus Pope Benedict, who, in silence, is sustaining the church,” Pope Francis said in his remarks.
“I remind you that he is very sick.
“Let’s ask the Lord to comfort him and sustain him in this testimony of love to the church to the very end.”
Pope Francis went to visit Benedict after the service.
A Vatican spokesperson said he is receiving constant medical care and his condition is “under control”.
Benedict has become increasingly frail in recent years after dedicating his post-papacy life to prayer and meditation.
Some cardinals and canon lawyers have questioned Benedict’s decisions on retirement, including his decision to continue wearing the white cassock of the papacy.
Another point of contention has been Benedict refusing to revert back to his birth name Joseph Ratzinger.
