Benedict’s death, at the age of 95, was announced in Rome on Dec. 31. His body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica from the morning of Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.
In a written statement on the morning of Dec. 31, Bruni said: “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.”
Aren't we lucky to be Catholics in the time of St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict? St. John Paul - a man of such charisma and relentless joy, who pushed forward leading others to Jesus in the face of Naziism, Communism, and cultural secularism. And Pope Benedict - the learned scholar and first-class teacher, who could make the most intricate and complicated doctrine of the Church logical to the least educated and least believing of people. Both stood up against attacks on the Church, from Communism to attacks from within the Church, such as the sexual abuse scandals. May the angels lead Pope Benedict to the arms of Jesus!
ReplyDeletePapa Benito! Long may you live in our hearts and memory. I understood when it was first reported that your health was in rapid decline, that soon, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph would be there at your bedside to take you home. What rejoicing there is now in heaven as you enter to see the Father face to face. What joy and consolation here on earth to know that yes, with certainty, you will continue to intercede for the Church you loved and served so well. I know you will not forget us, the people of God, as you now rest in the arms of the Father. I love you Papa Emerito!
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ReplyDeletewallacehamilton6:56 PM
I was pleased when he took the name Benedict. A monastic spirit, an intellectual, a preserver of the past. May he go to his reward now. I believe he abdicated, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so the Church could grow in charity. He gave us Francis. May he be at peace and rest in the beatific glory with all who have gone before him.