The Pope’s last words were recorded by the nurse
Former Pope Benedict XVI. died aged 95, the Vatican announced Saturday, nearly a decade after becoming the first pope to resign in six centuries. According to his nurse, the Pope’s last words were recorded.
Archbishop Georg Ganswein, personal secretary to Benedict, told Vatican News: [Benedict] said in Italian: “Lord, I love you!” I wasn’t there, but the nurse told me shortly after.”
Mr. Ganswein adds: “Those were his last understandable words because after that he was no longer able to express himself.”
The German pope emeritus, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, had lived a quiet life in a former convent on Vatican grounds since his shocked decision to step down in February 2013, AFP reported.
According to Vatican News, his health had long been deteriorating and on Wednesday his situation worsened as his successor, Pope Francis, called on Catholics worldwide to pray for him.
Tens of thousands of people paid tribute to former Pope Benedict XVI on Monday. paid their respects at the Vatican and began to lie in St. Peter’s Basilica for three days before his funeral.
They began queuing before dawn to view the body of the German theologian, which was brought early this morning from the convent on Vatican grounds, where he died on Saturday at the age of 95.
“I arrived at 6:00 a.m., it seemed normal to come and pay homage to him after all he has done for the church,” said an Italian nun, Sister Anna-Maria, at the front of the line, which is beginning to unfold around the huge St Peter’s Square.
Benedict led the Catholic Church for eight years until 2013, before becoming the first pope in six centuries to resign, citing deteriorating health.
His successor, Pope Francis, will preside over Thursday’s funeral in St. Peter’s Square, before Benedict’s remains are buried in the tombs beneath the basilica.
He will be buried in the tomb where the remains of Pope John Paul II were kept until 2011, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Monday.
Benedict’s body, dressed in red papal mourning robes and a gold-rimmed miter, was laid out on a catafalque draped in gold cloth in front of the altar of St. Peter, flanked by two Swiss Guards.
Many of them took photos on their smartphones while some prayed or made the sign of the cross.
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