Former Pope Benedict XVI’s health deteriorating

Former Pope Benedict’s health troubles have worsened, according to reports.

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, left, speaking to Pope Francis. Picture: Getty

Just months after he became the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to resign, reports claim that his physical deterioration has become dramaticaly apparent.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI recently returned from a brief hiatus at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo to live in a converted monastary in the Vatican, however, visitors are said to be shocked by how thin he has become.

According to USA today, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, the archbishop of Cologne was shocked after visiting his old friend in April.

“I was shocked at how thin he had become,” Meisner said at the time. “Mentally, he is quite fit, his old self. But he had halved in size.”

Meanwhile a Spanish Vatican correspondent was reported as saying: “We won’t have him with us much longer.”