Seewald's comments are reported in the Monday edition of the German Passauer Neue Presse.

He visited the former pope in Rome on Saturday to present him with his biography.

Benedict, 93, reportedly became ill after visiting his sick brother in Germany in June and is suffering from erysipelas of the face. (This photo of the former pope was taken on his arrival in Germany.)

The erysipelas virus is a potentially serious bacterial infection of the upper layer of the skin. Similar to cellulitis, both infections can be effectively treated by antibiotics.

According to Seewald, Benedict's "thinking and his memory are quick, but his voice is hardly audible at the moment".

"At the meeting the emeritus Pope, despite his illness, was optimistic and declared that if his strength increased again he would possibly take up his pen again," the paper reports Seewald saying.

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict's private secretary also took part in the book presentation in the "Mater Ecclesiae" monastery in the Vatican Gardens.

Due to the corona pandemic, the personal presentation of the book had to be postponed several times.

However, overnight the Vatican has responded to Seewald's claim made in the German newspaper, saying Benedict's condition saying "it is not particularly worrying" and that he was overcoming the acute phase of a painful but not grave ailment.

After the former pope's four-day trip to Bavaria in June, Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg described Benedict XVI as a man "in his frailty, in his old age and in his finiteness."

"He speaks in a low, almost whispering voice; and he clearly has trouble articulating. But his thoughts are perfectly clear; his memory, his combination gift phenomenal.

"For practically all everyday life processes, he depends on the help of others. It takes a lot of courage but also humility to put yourself in the hands of other people; and to show up in public," Voderholzer said.

Sources

• AFP
• Reuters
• The Tablet
• CNA
• Wikipedia
• Updated at 8:00am reflecting comment from the Vatican: Reuters

Benedict's comments were reported in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Serra.

The comments are in a new book of interviews between the retired Pope and journalist Peter Seewald.

Corriere della Serra has acquired the Italian newspaper rights for excerpts and has access to the book.

The book, called "Last Conversations" is scheduled to be released in September.

It is the first time in history that a former pope has judged his own pontificate after it is over.

The paper reported that, in one of the interviews with Seewald, Benedict said he came to know of the presence of a so-called gay lobby at the Vatican.

This was made up of four or five people who were seeking to influence Vatican decisions.

The article reported Benedict saying he managed to "break up this power group".

Gay rights campaigners have long said many gay people work for the Vatican.

Church sources have said they suspect that some banded together to support each other's careers and influence decisions in the bureaucracy.

Corriere della Serra also revealed how Benedict kept a diary during his papacy, which he now plans to destroy, despite its historical significance.

The upcoming book will also include details of the Pope Emeritus's life, faith and papacy, including his thoughts on current pope, Francis.

Benedict "admits his lack of resoluteness in governing", Corriere della Serra reported.

It is also reported that he was "surprised" when the cardinals chose Francis as his successor in 2013.

Corriere della Serra stated that Benedict "again denies blackmail or pressure" in his decision to resign.

But Benedict reportedly said he had to overcome his own doubts on the effect his choice could have on the future of the papacy.

Sources

• The Tablet
• Reuters
• Image: Catholic News Service