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Pope Benedict XVI’s health declines; prayers needed
Photo by Ashwin Vaswani on Unsplash
Pope Francis called the attention of Catholics worldwide to prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, 95, during his morning audience on Wednesday. The pope asked for Catholics to pray for Benedict and recognized the vital role the pope emeritus continues to play within the church. Vatican officials confirmed that Benedict’s health was declining.
The pope said, “I ask to all of you a special prayer for the Pope Emeritus Benedict, who, in silence, is sustaining the church. Remember him – he is very ill- asking the Lord to console him and to sustain him in this testimony of love for the Church until the end.” The pope’s comments were followed later in the morning by an official statement to reporters from Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni. According to MSN, he said, “the situation at the moment remains under control and is constantly followed by doctors.” Bruni continued by telling reporters Benedict’s age was worsening “due to advancing age.”
Pope Francis visited with Benedict following the Wednesday morning general audience and request for prayer. Francis visited Benedict at the monastery on Vatican City grounds where the pope emeritus resides.
Benedict resigned in February 2013, becoming the first pope in six centuries to resign, by citing declining health as the cause of the resignation. Since his resignation he has made several public appearances, but those have declined in the last few years. It is during those public appearances that he has appeared increasingly sick and frail.
The most recent controversy with Benedict came after a book the pope emeritus co-authored with Cardinal Robert Sarah was released. Critics and opponents claimed Benedict did not have anything to do with co-authoring the book and Cardinal Sarah, along with the publisher of the book, reputed those claims. It is not unusual for Benedict to author, or co-author, a book since he has written multiple theological books.
Since his resignation, Benedict has spent his time primarily in prayer for the church and meditation. It is only fitting and right that the church return the prayers for the pope emeritus during such a crucial time for him and the church.
About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
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