When he stepped down  Pope Benedict  the 16th  said  he was no longer strong enough in mind or body to carry out his duties.

Today a report in Britain’s Telegraph  says a Vatican journalist has told the newspaper that the former pope’s health   has declined rapidly   in the past 15 days  and that 85-year old Benedict may not be with us for much longer.

However other Vatican insiders say the report is alarmist but note  that Benedict has become more frail over the past months.

Benedict  made history when he stepped down on February 28th becoming the first pope to do so since 1415.