Pope Francis prayed for his predecessor’s passage to heaven and as quickly as extra expressed thanks for a lifetime of service to the church, all by means of New yr’s Day appearances a day after pope emeritus Benedict XVI died in retirement on the Vatican.
St. Peter’s Basilica, the place Francis presided over a mid-morning New yr’s mass, will host Benedict’s coffin starting on Monday. hundreds of devoted are anticipated to file by the coffin in three days of viewing.
Benedict, ninety five, died Saturday morning inside the Vatican monastery the place he had lived since retirement. He was the important pope in centuries to resign, citing his growing frailty.
On Sunday, Benedict’s physique lay on a burgundy-coloured bier inside the chapel of the monastery. He was carrying a miter, the headgear of a bishop, and a pink cloak-like vestment. A rosary was positioned in his hand.
Francis regarded weary and sat collectively with his head bowed as mass started on the important day of the yr, an event the Catholic Church dedicates to the theme of peace.
He departed briefly from studying his homily, with its emphasis on hope and peace, to hope aloud for Benedict.
“at the second we entrust to our Blessed mom our beloved pope emeritus Benedict XVI, so as that she might accompany him in his passage from this world to God,” he mentioned.
Later, Francis delivered extra remarks regarding the retired pontiff when he provided New yr’s greetings to hundreds gathered in St. Peter’s sq..
Referring to Mary, Francis mentioned that “in these hours, we invoke her intercession, particularly for pope emeritus Benedict XVI, who, yesterday morning, left this world.”
“allow us to unite all collectively, with one coronary heart and one soul, in giving as a consequence of of God for the reward of this devoted servant of the Gospel and of the church,” mentioned Francis, talking from a window of the Apostolic Palace to pilgrims and vacationers beneath.
The sq. can be the setting for Benedict’s funeral led by Francis on Thursday morning. That ceremony is at risk of be a straightforward one, the Vatican has mentioned, in step with the wishes of Benedict, who for many years as a German cardinal had served as a consequence of the Church’s guardian of doctrinal orthodoxy earlier than he was elected pope in 2005.
inside the final years, Francis has hailed Benedict’s lovely willpower to develop to be the important pope to resign in 600 years and has made clear he’d contemplate such a step as an various for himself.
Hobbled by knee ache, Francis, 86, on Sunday arrived inside the basilica in a wheelchair, earlier than taking his place in a chair for the Mass, which was being celebrated by the Vatican’s secretary of state.
Francis, who has repeatedly decried the battle in Ukraine and its devastation, recalled people who are victims of battle, passing the yr-finish holidays in darkness, chilly and fear.
Francis cites ‘insupportable’ battle in Ukraine
“initially of this yr, we want hope, simply as a consequence of the Earth wants rain,” Francis mentioned in his homily.
When addressing the devoted in St. Peter’s sq., Francis cited the “insupportable” battle in Ukraine, which started in February of final yr with Russia’s assaults and invasion, and battle elsewhere throughout the globe.
but, Francis mentioned, “allow us to not lose hope” that peace will prevail. “In your full world, in all peoples, a cry is rising, `no to battle, no to re-armament’ however [may] the assets go to enchancment, well being, meals, education, work.”
Benedict XVI, who led the Roman Catholic Church by means of a interval of transformation, controversy and scandal earlier than turning into the important pontiff in 600 years to resign, has died. He was ninety five.
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