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Pope Francis led a tribute to his ancestors on Saturday. After Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in a monastery in the Vatican at the age of 95.
“We are moved when we think of a noble, kind Lord, and we are grateful in our hearts. Thank God for giving him to the church and to the world,” Francis said in St. Peter’s Basilica while leading the tradition. New Year’s Eve Ceremony
“Thank him for all the good he has accomplished and above all for his witness in faith and prayer. especially in the last years of this life Only God knows the value of sacrifice for the good of the Church,” added Francis.
BenedictIt was the first bishop in nearly 600 years to resign instead of serving for the rest of his life. passed away on Saturday According to a statement from the Vatican
“With regret I inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today at 9:34 a.m. at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican,” said Matteo Bruni, Holy See’s press director.
Francis met Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI shortly after his death on Saturday morning. According to Bruni
The funeral for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be held on Thursday in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican at 9:30 a.m. local time, Bruni said. The body will be led by Pope Francis.
The former pope’s body will be in state in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican from Monday for the faithful to bid their farewells. Vatican News reports According to the wishes of the Pope Emeritus His funeral will be “simple,” Bruni said.
News of Benedict’s death came days after Pope Francis. Let the faithful pray for him.saying he was “extremely ill”
His health had deteriorated for some time.
Benedict stunned Catholic believers and religious experts around the world on February 11, 2013, when he announced his plans to step down as the Pope, citing “the severity of the monarchy.”
in a farewell speech The incumbent pope promised to stay “hidden” from the world, but he continued to talk about religion in the years following his retirement. which contributed to tensions within the Catholic Church.
Benedict was a powerful force in the Catholic Church for decades. Joseph Ratzinger was born in Germany in 1927. He was the son of a policeman. He was ordained a priest in 1951, a cardinal in 1977, and later served as Chief Theological Adviser to Pope John Paul II.
One of his most significant milestones came in 1981 when he took over as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, the Vatican office that oversees it. “Doctrine of Faith and Morality in the Catholic World,” according to a Vatican report.
Ratzinger became known as the “Cardinal No” for his efforts to suppress the liberation theology movement. religious pluralism Challenging traditional teachings on issues such as homosexuality and the call for women to become priests
He was elected Pope in April 2005 following the death of John Paul II.
He is known to be more conservative than Pope Francis. successor who have moved to soften the Vatican’s stance on abortion and homosexuality as well as doing more to address the sexual abuse crisis that has flooded churches in recent years and has become clouded. Benedict’s Legacy
In April 2019, Benedict addressed the sexual harassment crisis in a public letter. This was attributed in part to the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the liberalization of the moral teachings of the church.
In January 2020, Benedict was forced to distance himself from the book that was often viewed as persecuting Francis. While he considers whether married men are allowed to become priests in some cases, the book “From the Bottom of Our Hearts” argues in favor of the centuries-old tradition of celibacy in the Catholic Church. Benedict was originally listed as a co-author. but later clarified that he was involved in only one part of the text
a year later Benedict was targeted during his tenures as Archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982 following the publication of a Church Council report on abuse by Catholic clergy. there
The report found that while in the post He was notified of four cases of sexual abuse involving minors, including two that occurred during his tenure. but failed to execute It also reveals that Benedict attended a meeting about a harasser identified as Priest X following the release of the report. Benedict denied allegations he learned in 1980 that the priest was a transgressor.
In a furious letter issued by the Vatican Benedict wrote that he He was “in good spirits” as he was confronted with “The last judge of my life”, despite his flaws. He also issued a general apology to survivors of the abuse.
Leaders around the world have paid their respects to the former pope following his death. Archbishop of Canterbury and Church of England Justin Welby said he was “mourning” the former pope.
“Pope Benedict is one of the greatest theologians of his time. dedicated to the faith of the Church and taking a stand in defense of the Church,” Welby said in a statement Saturday.
“In everything, no less than his writings and preachings. He looked at Jesus Christ. the image of an invisible god It is abundantly clear that Christ is the root of his thoughts and the basis of his prayers.
“In 2013, Pope Benedict took the courageous and humble action of resigning from the papacy. the first pope to do so since the 15th century. He acknowledged human vulnerabilities that affect us all,” he added.
New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan said he would also remember the former pope. “Love and Gratitude”
“Saddened to hear of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola tweeted Saturday.
“Europe mourns him. May he rest in peace.”
Patriarch Kirill Leader of the Russian Orthodox Church Told Pope Francis on Saturday he also received news of Benedict’s death. “Sorrow,” according to a message shared on the official website of the Patriarch of Moscow.
“His years were pivotal in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. which he led during difficult historical times. It involves a lot of external and internal challenges,” Kirill said of Benedict.
Kirill strengthened the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. He said that he had “much improved” during Benedict’s tenure. in an attempt to “Overcoming the sometimes painful legacy of the past”
“On behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church My condolences to you and the Roman Catholic Church,” he continued.
on Sunday Dalai Lama expresses condolences to Catholic Church members after Benedict’s death
“I pray for our spiritual brothers and sisters,” he wrote, “and my condolences to the members of the Catholic Church.”
“At a time when we are seeing tensions in many parts of the world. We can learn from the life of Pope Benedict and do what we can to contribute to religious reconciliation and world peace.”
US President Joe Biden said the late pontiff “Will be remembered as a famous theologian. with a lifelong dedication to the Church guided by principles and faith
Biden, the second Catholic to serve as President of the United States. Mentioned meeting Benedict at the Vatican in 2011, saying he remembered “His generosity and hospitality. and our meaningful conversations.”
“As he said during a visit to the White House in 2008, ‘The need for solidarity around the world is as urgent as ever. If everyone is to live with dignity’, may our focus on charitable mission continue to be an inspiration to all of us,” Biden added.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also paid his respects. “I am saddened to hear of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Sunak tweeted Saturday.
“He was a great theologian. Our visit to the UK in 2010 was a historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics across our country.
Italy’s new Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, expressed his admiration for the former pope. “Benedict XVI was a giant of faith and reason. He dedicated his life to serving the universal Church and speaking and will continue to speak to the hearts and minds of men with the spiritual, cultural and intellectual depth of his Magisterium,” she tweeted Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leader of Moscow Ukrainian invasioncalled former popes “A staunch defender of traditional Christian values.”
