epaselect epa10382850 People attend a Holy Mass for Benedict XV in Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, in Rome, Italy, 30 December 2022. Pope Francis on 28 December asked the faithful to pray for his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who he said was 'very sick' at the age of 95. Speaking at the end of his weekly general audience in the Vatican, Francis asked for a 'special prayer' for the German ex-pontiff, who became the first pope to resign in 600 years when he stepped down due to ill health on 11 February 2013. EPA/GIUSEPPE LAMI
