Call for prayers as health of 'very sick' former pope Benedict worsens

Former pope Benedict XVI became seriously ill after visiting his sick brother in Germany in June and is "extremely frail", reports say. POOL/AFP/File

The world leader of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis, has warned that the health of his 95-year-old predecessor, Benedict XVl, continues to deteriorate. The pontiff has called on the faithful to pray for a man who "is very sick".

The Vatican on Wednesday confirmed the health of ex-pontiff Benedict XVI has worsened in the last few hours and he had been visited by Pope Francis.