Vatican: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lucid & stable but condition 'serious'

Vatican said Thursday that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was lucid, conscious and stable, but that his condition remains serious a day after officials revealed that 95-year-old's health h deteriorated recently.

A statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Pope Francis asks for continued prayers “to accompany him in se difficult hours.”

On Wednesday Francis revealed that Benedict was “very ill” and went to see him at his home in Vatican Gardens. Vatican later said Benedict's health h deteriorated in recent hours.

diocese of Rome has scheduled a special Mass in honor of Benedict on Friday at St. John Lateran, Benedict's former basilica in his capacity as bishop of Rome.