Pope Francis asks for prayers for ex pope Benedict, who he says is 'very sick'

Pope Francis asked for prayers for former pope Benedict, saying he is "very sick".

Francis made the surprise appeal at the end of his general audience, giving no details.

Benedict, 95, in 2013 became the first pope in some 600 years to resign. He served as pope from 2005 to 2013.

Benedict has been living in the Vatican since then under the title of "Pope Emeritus", and is the longest-lived person to have held the office of pope.