PRAYER REQUEST: POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI: The Vatican has asked that we pray today for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who, it say, has experienced a sudden decline in his health but is stable and under medical care.
“I can confirm that in the last few hours there has been a worsening due to advancing age. The situation at the moment remains under control, constantly followed by doctors,” Holy See Press Office director, Matteo Bruni, told journalists on December 28.
Mr. Bruni added that Pope Francis went to visit the 95-year-old Pope Emeritus where he lives, in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, after the General Audience on Wednesday morning during which Pope Francis had asked for prayers for Benedict XVI’s health. Therefore, let us pray in the words of Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever. Amen.
Saint Peter, pray for him.
Saint Joseph, pray for him.
Saint Benedict, pray for him.