MONTREAL -- Retired Montreal Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte remains in hospital being treated for an unspecified illness.

Turcotte, who is 78, was the city's archbishop for 22 years until his retirement in March 2012.

News about his health was published Tuesday on the Diocese of Montreal website by the vicar general, Monsignor Michel Parent.

Parent wrote that Turcotte has been experiencing "serious health problems for some time" and asked followers to "pray fervently."

Parent also said that when he visited the retired Cardinal, Turcotte "was entirely at peace, utterly tuned to the Lord and in full acceptance of His will."

Born in Montreal in 1936, Turcotte was appointed Archbishop in 1990 by Pope John Paul the Second and was elevated to Cardinal in 1994, a title he still retains.

Bishop Christian Lepine succeeded him in 2012 as the city's archbishop.