“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s health condition remains stable at this time,” Vatican News reported on Friday.

“In a response to questions from journalists, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, on Friday confirmed that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s health condition remains stable at this time. He added that yesterday evening Benedict XVI was able to have a good rest, and earlier in the afternoon he participated in the celebration of Mass in his room.

“In related news, at 5:30 pm Rome time Friday, Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, remembering in prayer Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and his health. The Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Vicar of the Diocese of Rome, will preside over the celebration.

“The Diocese of Rome has encouraged ‘parish communities, chaplaincies, religious men and women, all the faithful of the diocese and all the men and women of good will who live in Rome,’ to gather in prayer for Benedict XVI, ‘remembering with gratitude the road traveled together with our bishop emeritus,’ and accompanying him now ‘in this time of suffering and hardship, praying to the Lord that He may console him and sustain him in his witness of love for the Church until the end,'” Vatican News reported.