Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is in serious but stable health conditions .
«The Pope emeritus managed to rest well last night , he is absolutely lucid and alert and today, although his condition remains serious, the situation is currently stable . Pope Francis renews his invitation to pray for him and to accompany him in these difficult hours», the words of the director of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni .
According to sources close to the Mater ecclesiae , Ratzinger is in the bedroom on the first floor of the former monastery , wearing an alb, and concelebrating at Mass with a stole that is placed around his shoulders. Always assisting him are the four memores domini , Monsignor Georg Gaenswein , who hastily returned from a short period of leave he had taken to greet his family for the Christmas holidays, and the Vatican nurse , Fra Eligio. Assistance is also provided by the personal doctor, Patrizio Polisca .
In the meantime, after Pope Benedict's invitation to pray for him during yesterday morning's general audience, appeals are being raised by the Christian community all over the world to " join in prayer around Pope Benedict XVI, whose health have suddenly worsened, due to advancing age".
The conditions of the Pope emeritus, born on 16 April 1927, had already deteriorated last week, when he began to suffer from " respiratory problems ".
Benedict XVI also spent Christmas at the former Mater Ecclesiae monastery where a mass was officiated for him.
(Unioneonline/vl)