Health fears for ex-Pope Benedict, 93
FORMER Pope Benedict XVI is reportedly seriously ill.
The 93-year-old is said to be suffering from shingles – a viral infection causing painful rashes.
The former Pontiff, whose real name is Joseph Ratzinger, now lives in a former convent in the Vatican gardens.
He became ill after a visit to his native Bavaria in June to see his dying brother Georg, 96.
German daily newspaper Passauer Neue Presse quoted Peter Seewald, a biographer of the Pope Emeritus, as saying that Benedict XVI has been suffering from a facial infection since his return to Rome.
Seewald, who has published several book-length interviews with Benedict, handed over a copy of the biography to the former Pontiff on Saturday, the newspaper reported. He described Benedict as being optimistic and talking about possibly writing himself if his strength picks up, though he said Benedict is physically very frail.
The Vatican press office downplayed the severity of Benedict’s condition, citing his longtime secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, in a statement.
According to Mr Gaenswein, ‘the Emeritus Pope’s health condition doesn’t create particular concern, except that for a 93year-old man who is getting over the most acute phase of a painful, but not serious illness’.
In June, Benedict made a fourday visit to Regensburg to see his ailing brother. It was his first trip out of Italy since he resigned as Pope in 2013. His brother, the Reverend Georg Ratzinger, died on July 1 at age 96.
Elected to the papacy in 2005 to succeed St John Paul II, Benedict became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. He was succeeded by Pope Francis in 2013.