Pope Francis will preside on the solemn requiem Mass for Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Square on the morning of Jan. 5, the Vatican announced today.
Vatican press officer Matteo Bruni noted that “in accordance with the desires of the emeritus pope, the funeral will likely be conducted in a mark of simplicity.”
Vatican press officer Matteo Bruni noted that “in accordance with the desires of the emeritus pope, the funeral will likely be conducted in a mark of simplicity.”
The previous pope died at 9.34 a.m. Rome time on Dec. 31, the Vatican announced earlier today. He was 95 years old and had been very ailing for some days. Mr. Bruni announced Benedict’s death in an announcement sent to journalists accredited to the Holy See that said: “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 within the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery within the Vatican.”
Mr. Bruni revealed that Benedict XVI was given the sacrament of the anointing of the sick after the Mass celebrated in his room last Wednesday afternoon, at which he participated.
Benedict’s body will likely be placed in St. Peter’s Basilica from Monday, Jan. 2, in order that the faithful pays their final respects to him. Vatican security has already cordoned off the realm from St. Peter’s Square to the underside of the Via della Conciliazione thoroughfare and are putting up barricades upfront of his body resting in state.
The primary pope to freely resolve to resign from office up to now 600 years, Benedict opened a latest chapter within the history of the papacy. His resignation in 2013 made it possible for future popes to resign in the event that they should find their mental or physical health is failing or the burden of office is just too much for them.
He was pope for lower than eight years. Elected on April 19, 2005, he announced his resignation on Feb. 11, 2013, with it taking effect at 8.00 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2013. Benedict was emeritus pope for nearly 10 years, a period longer than he was pope.
Bishops’ conferences from all over the world are issuing statements on his death, as are cardinals that knew him. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, S.D.B., the president of the Australian Bishops’ Conference, said, “Benedict XVI will long be remembered fondly in Australia because the pontiff who led young people from across the globe in prayer at World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.” His papacy, Archbishop Costelloe said, “will likely be remembered as one among wealthy teaching, including his encyclicals on love, hope and truth, in addition to his book series [on] Jesus of Nazareth, and for reforms in areas like liturgy and within the handling of kid sexual abuse.” Archbishop Costelloe said parishes across the country will hold special memorial Masses for the emeritus pope.
Benedict’s body will likely be placed in St. Peter’s Basilica from Monday, Jan. 2, in order that the faithful pays their final respects to him.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, said in an announcement: “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Benedict. He will likely be remembered as one among the nice theologians of the twentieth century. I remember with particular affection the remarkable Papal Visit to those lands in 2010. We saw his courtesy, his gentleness, the perceptiveness of his mind and the openness of his welcome to everybody that he met.”
“He was through and thru a gentleman, through and thru a scholar, through and thru a pastor, through and thru a person of God,” Cardinal Nichols wrote, “near the Lord and at all times his humble servant. Pope Benedict may be very much in my heart and in my prayers. I give because of God for his ministry and leadership.” He said the Catholic bishops of England and Wales will have a good time requiem Masses for the repose of the soul of the late pope emeritus of their cathedrals.
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said he was “saddened to listen to of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Presently of mourning within the Catholic Church throughout the world, we remember his gentle soul in prayer, asking God, in His great mercy, to forgive his sins and human failings, while rewarding his generous service and complete dedication to the Gospel and to the Church. On behalf of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, and the faithful across Ireland, I extend sympathy to Pope Francis, to the members of the family and carers of the Pope Emeritus, and to all those in his native Germany and across the globe who loved him and can mourn his loss.”
Cardinal Thomas Collins: “Pope Emeritus Benedict offered each one among us a private example of fidelity and of what it’s to be a loyal disciple of Jesus.”
Archbishop Martin said he was struck by Benedict’s “characteristic humility and gentleness” when he first met him in 2009 while visiting the Vatican as the chief secretary to the Irish bishops. He recalled that after meeting the Irish bishops in Rome in February 2010, Benedict “issued a singular Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland expressing profound sorrow for those grievously wounded by abuse within the Church” and “called for urgent motion to handle the legacy of abuse which, he said, has had ‘such tragic consequences within the lives of victims and their families’, and which has ‘obscured the sunshine of the Gospel to a level that not even centuries of persecution succeeded in doing.’”
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, noted that Benedict, the last pope to attend the Second Vatican Council, “served as a bridge to the longer term, reminding us all that the reform and renewal of the Church is ongoing. Resigning in 2013, the 12 months of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI taught us that belief in God means completely placing our trust in Divine Windfall. Today we pray as Pope Francis did earlier this yr, ‘May St. Joseph help us to live the mystery of death in one of the best possible way. For a Christian, the great death is an experience of the mercy of God, who comes near us even in that last moment of our life.’
Lord, let your perpetual light shine in your servant Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, and should he rest in peace.”
Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, issued an announcement saying that “[t]hroughout the Archdiocese of Toronto, we take part mourning the lack of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. We give thanks for his years of faithful, thoughtful and galvanizing service to the Church.”
Each as a priest for greater than 70 years and in his time as bishop and pope, “Pope Emeritus Benedict offered each one among us a private example of fidelity and of what it’s to be a loyal disciple of Jesus,” Cardinal Collins wrote:
As a theologian, he followed within the footsteps of the nice St. Augustine, in offering to us profound insight into the mysteries of our Christian faith, insight arising by God’s grace not only from his astonishing intellect and learning, but additionally from his personal holiness and pastoral take care of God’s people; his writings will help guide disciples of Jesus within the centuries that lie before us. As pope, he led the universal church with wisdom and holiness, providing a transparent and loving message of how our faith can encourage us and guide us through the storms of life’s journey. Greater than ever, his own witness, humility and invitation to place others before ourselves should resonate throughout the world. We pray for the repose of his soul. Everlasting rest grant unto him, O Lord and should perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
[More on Pope Benedict:
Pope Benedict XVI, defender of orthodoxy defined by historic resignation, dies at 95
Pope Benedict XVI’s devotion to the Eucharist: A key to understanding his life and theology]