Emeritus Pope Benedict in 'fragile' condition after visit to Germany

Staff writer

Emeritus Pope Benedict is reported to be seriously ill after a visit to Germany to see his dying brother.

Benedict, 93, paid a final visit to Georg in Bavaria in June shortly before his death that month.

Biographer Peter Seewald told German newspaper, the Passauer Neue Presse that the retired Pope was suffering from shingles and was unable to raise his voice. 

While Benedict was said to have an "active" mind and memory, his voice has become "barely audible at the moment" and his condition was described as "fragile".

Seewald said he had spoken to Benedict on Saturday and that the retired Pope had expressed a desire to start writing again if his health improves.

Benedict stepped down as Pope in 2013, the first Pope to do since Gregory XII in 1415.

At the time, he cited declining health due to old age.  Although he relinquished leadership of the Catholic Church, he was given the honorary title of Pope Emeritus and continues to reside in Vatican City.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?
Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?

It will be interesting to see if the Scottish government goes down the route of investing in quality palliative care, or whether Liam McArthur's defeated assisted suicide bill is simply resurrected in another form.

Nick Timothy stands by criticism of Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square
Nick Timothy stands by criticism of Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square

Shadow justice minister Nick Timothy is standing by claims that a mass Islamic prayer in Trafalgar Square was “a declaration of domination” that should never be repeated.

Britain’s culture of giving is becoming more 'fragile' as donations fall
Britain’s culture of giving is becoming more 'fragile' as donations fall

A major new report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has raised fresh concerns about the state of charitable giving in the UK, showing that total public donations fell sharply in 2025 as fewer people gave and average gifts became smaller.

UK urged to press Nigeria on violence against Christians during historic Tinubu visit
UK urged to press Nigeria on violence against Christians during historic Tinubu visit

A coalition of Christian and human rights organisations has called on the UK government to use President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Britain to press for stronger protections for Christians and other vulnerable communities in Nigeria, amid continuing concern over deadly attacks and weak accountability.