Joined by his 94-year-old brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, Benedict began the day by celebrating a Latin Mass.

"Then he had breakfast and immediately after sang a beautiful song, which is always important for him," Archbishop Georg Ganswein said.

Pope Francis offered his early morning Mass for Benedict and sent his best wishes to him.

Ganswein said after Benedict had eaten lunch the Memores Domini sisters made him, Benedict went for a short walk and, in the afternoon, he prayed the Rosary.

"His mind is fine but his physical strength is somewhat diminished," Ganswein said.

The Vatican press office said in the evening the Swiss Guard band would be visiting Benedict and performing for him.

Benedict was pope from 2005 to 2013.

He shocked the world when he announced his resignation in February 2013, citing advanced age and declining strength.

He stepped down from the papacy a fortnight later.

A conclave was called to name his successor, and on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis was elected.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Crux Now
• Image: Aleteia

His brother, 94 year-old Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, says the Pope emeritus is suffering from a nerve disease, which is paralyzing him little by little.

Georg says the illness forces Benedict to use a wheelchair more often. If paralysis reaches the heart, he says, "everything could finish quickly.

"Only God knows if we will meet again," he says, though he indicated he would like to be Rome in April for Benedict's birthday.

Some hours after the German press reported Georg's statements, those close to Benedict XVI in the Vatican said reports of his illness were baseless.

They say Benedict has difficulty moving but this is not due to any neurological disease.

A Vatican statement said the "presumed news of a paralyzing degenerative disease are false.

"In two months, Benedict XVI will turn 91 and, as he has said himself, feels the weight of his years, which is normal at that age."

Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pope in six centuries to resign, said earlier this month he was in the last phase of life and on a "pilgrimage toward home".

Last October, he had a fall. A German bishop who went to visit him posted a photo on Facebook showing Benedict with a bruised eye.

Source

• Aleteia
• Reuters
• Image: ABS-CBN News