Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is “stable,” the official Vatican News agency reported Friday, hours before a special Mass was to be said in Rome for his health.
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican’s spokesman, said the 95-year-old former pontiff had “a good rest” Thursday evening and participated in the celebration of Mass in his room at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City.
Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, resigned in 2013 after eight years as pope, citing health concerns he said restricted his ability to fully perform the job.
The special Mass for Benedict was to be celebrated at 5:30 p.