Status: 01/01/2023 05:13
The Catholic Church and many faithful across the world commemorate Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on the morning of New Year’s Eve. His successor, Francis, remembered him at a mass.
By Jörg Seisselberg, ARD Studio Rome
As a sign of mourning for Benedict XVI. The white and yellow national flags fly at half mast in the Vatican. Pope Francis paid homage to his predecessor in the evening at St Peter’s Basilica, as part of the traditional Te Deum at the end of the year: “We are sad to remember your noble and so kind person. And we feel so much gratitude in our hearts: gratitude to God for for having given us, the Church and the world. Gratitude to him for all the good he has done”.
BR Logo Jörg Seisselberg ARD Studio Rome
In front of the faithful in the basilica, Francis also recalled Benedict’s years as emeritus after his retirement from office in 2013. The pope recognized what he called Benedict’s “witness of faith and prayer”: “Only God knows the value and power of his intercession, his sacrifices made for the good of the church.”
The Pope is also expected to speak on the death of Benedict XVI at the New Year’s Mass and midday Angelus prayer. Several tens of thousands of people are expected for this fair.
Pope Francis honored his predecessor during the Mass. Image: via Portal
Death on New Year’s Eve
On Wednesday, the Pope had prepared believers around the world that Benedict’s life could come to an end. At the general audience, Francis asked for prayers for his predecessor because he was “very ill”. On New Year’s Eve, Pope spokesman Matteo Bruni announced Benedict’s death: “It is with pain that I inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away this morning at 9:34 am in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican.”
Benedict, 95, refused to be taken to hospital despite his recently deteriorating state of health. According to the Vatican, Benedict’s health problems in recent days were mainly due to age-related weakness.
Lying from Monday
From Monday morning, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St. Peter’s Basilica. For three days, the faithful then have the opportunity of Benedict XVI. pay last respects. The funeral will take place on Thursday in St. Peter’s Square. Benedict himself asked for a simple ceremony in his will.
The Vatican invited two official delegations from other countries to the funeral, from Germany and Italy. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced his arrival in the Federal Republic. Pope Francis will preach during the mass.
After the mourning ceremony, Benedict will be buried in the papal crypt under St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pope Emeritus wished to find his final resting place at the site where John Paul II was buried before his remains were moved to a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica following his beatification.
Benedict was elected Pope in 2005, the first German in nearly 500 years. In 2013, the native Bavarian made a turning point in church history. Benedict was the first modern pope to resign. Even so, he justified this step with his state of health.
Death of Benedict XVI: Pope Francis pays homage to his predecessor
Jörg Seisselberg, ARD Rome, 01/01/2023 06:01