Benedict Withering Away: Sources

Vatican agrees, but says former pope's condition is not critical
By Ruth Brown,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 9, 2013 4:42 PM CDT
Benedict Withering Away: Sources
Pope Francis, right, and Pope emeritus Benedict XVI meet in Castel Gandolfo.   (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, HO)

Pope Benedict has only recently begun his retirement, but he may not have much time left to enjoy it. Several sources say his health has deteriorated significantly since leaving his post, reports USA Today. "Benedict is in a very bad way" says a Vatican media correspondent who met with the former pope in late May. "We won't have him with us much longer." A German archbishop who saw him in April reports that "he had halved in size." The Vatican acknowledges he has grown weaker since retiring, but denies his condition is critical. (More Pope Benedict XVI stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X