Former Pope Benedict, 93, is 'seriously ill with shingles and his voice is barely audible' after returning to the Vatican from a visit to see his dying brother in Germany

Emeritus Pope Benedict is serious ill after returning to the Vatican following a visit to Germany to see his dying brother. 

The retired pope, 93, is suffering from shingles and has become so weak that he cannot raise his voice, according to his German biographer.

Benedict's 'mind and memory are active but his voice is barely audible at the moment,' author Peter Seewald told newspaper Passauer Neue Presse.

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Emeritus Pope Benedict, 93 (pictured in June), is serious ill with shingles and has become so weak that he cannot raise his voice, according to his biographer

Seewald said Benedict was optimistic when the pair spoke on Saturday, when he said he might pick up writing again if his strength returns.But his condition has since 'become extremely fragile', the newspaper reported. 

Benedict came to his native Bavaria in June to pay his ailing brother Georg Ratzinger a final visit. Ratzinger, aged 96, died shortly afterwards.

It was Benedict's first trip outside Italy since 2013, the year he resigned the papacy.