Catholics urged to pray for pope emeritus Benedict

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino bishops yesterday prayed and offered masses for the immediate recovery of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who is reportedly “very ill.”

“We must pray together for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVII. Let us pray for all the blessings he needs,” San Jose Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari said in Filipino.

Mallari, head of the Office of Social Communications of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference, said prayers can heal all the sick.

Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Caritas Philippines, urged the Catholic faithful “to storm the heavens with prayers” and asked them to join the Philippine Catholic Church in praying for the pontiff’s recovery.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos also appealed to the Catholic faithful to include Benedict in their prayers as he emphasized that all masses in the diocese will be offered to him for his immediate recovery.

“The Diocese of Balanga heeds to the caring appeal of our beloved Holy Father for prayers to our dear Pope Emeritus Benedict for comfort and recovery from his illness. We offer our Holy Masses that our almighty God in His mercy and power sustains, supports and consoles our Pope Emeritus Benedict,” he said.

With our prayers and Holy masses we are one with him in spirit and in his suffering. Our blessed Mother takes him in her maternal embrace and protection. God is with our Pope Emeritus Benedict,” he added in an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas.

Benedict XVI is currently residing at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.

He stepped down from the papacy in 2013 due to “advanced age,” prompting the election of Pope Francis.