Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi is denying reports that claim the health of former Pope Benedict has worsened.

Father Lombardi was responding to a report in the Spanish daily newspaper El Mundo. It quotes Spanish Journalist Paloma Gomez-Borrero, who says Benedict XVI has suffered a deterioration in health over the past 15 days.

However, Fr. Lombardi insists Benedict isn't ill, and that this has been certified by his doctors.

The Bishop-emeritus of Rome currently resides at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, outside the city, but will return to the Vatican to live once renovations at a former monastery are completed in May.