Special Vatican Mass to pray for Pope Benedict

Hundreds of faithful gathered on Friday at St. John in Lateran Basilica for a special Mass in honour of 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Benedict was in stable condition Friday after experiencing a health decline and was able to participate in a private Mass in his room, the Vatican said.

The Vatican provided a new medical bulletin Friday afternoon saying Benedict had been able to rest well for a second night.On Wednesday, Pope Francis revealed that his 95-year-old predecessor was “very ill” and he went to see him in his home in the Vatican Gardens.Francis called for prayers for Benedict, resulting in an outpouring of messages of solidarity from rank-and-file Catholics and cardinals alike.