Yesterday we heard the bad news coming out of the Vatican that Pope Benedict XVI is very

ill.

The Vatican released a press release on it and Pope Francis himself made two statements

on it saying that Benedict was sick and asked the faithful to pray for him.

As you know Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 in a very controversial move.

I encourage you to check out my YouTube video Why Did Pope Benedict XVI resigned.

It's a very popular video and it goes through the four clues, the four mysteries and puts

it all together and explains it.

The good news this morning comes from my friend Diane Montagne writing in Rome.

She translates and gives us the latest release which shows that Pope Benedict XVI, the emeritus

post, is lucid and alert today.

Here is the official release translated into English.

Thank you Diane for making it available and letting us know.

This is dated December 29th, the Feast of St. Thomas Beckett responding to questions from

journalists the director of the Holy See Press office Mateo Bruni said the following quote,

the Pope emeritus managed to rest well last night.

He is absolutely lucid and alert and today although his condition remains serious the situation

at the moment is stable.

Pope Francis renews his invitation to pray for him and to accompany him in these difficult

times.

Thank you Diane for making that available to us and I would encourage everyone to continue

to pray for Pope Benedict XVI, I'll lead us in our father, a Hail Mary and a St. Michael

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