Pope Francis will hold a funeral for the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI next week after the retired pope passed away on Saturday.
The Vatican announced that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 am. He was 95 years old.
Benedict’s body is currently in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City, where he spent most of his life after the papacy.
POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI DEATH AT 95, SAYS THE VATICAN
FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during a mass to create 20 new cardinals during a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican February 14, 2015.
(REUTERS/Tony Gentile/File photo)
On January 2, his body will be transferred for the faithful to see in St. Peter’s Basilica. In accordance with tradition, the body of the deceased pope will be displayed to the public to allow mourners to pray for the pontiff on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On January 5, Pope Francis will preside over the late pontiff’s funeral mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican reported.
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Pope Benedict XVI at his Vatican residence in November 1985, Italy.
(Gianni GIANSANTI/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
The service will be open to the public and the Vatican has provided contacts for Catholics around the world who wish to concelebrate the Mass remotely.
Benedict XVI was elected to the papacy in 2005. He later claimed that he prayed that he would not be elected during the conclave, but was forced to accept what he believed to be God calling him to greater service.
POPE BENEDICT XVI SAYS FAREWELL TO THE CARDINALS AND PROMISES OBEDIENCE TO HIS SUCCESSOR
Catholic cleric, cardinal, Germany Ratzinger takes office as Bishop of Munich – 1977
(Claus Hampel/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
In February 2013, at age 85, Benedict became the first pope in centuries to resign from office.
“I have come to the certainty that my strength, due to advanced age, is no longer adequate for adequate exercise [of the pontificate]”, he said at the time.
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Pope Benedict XVI gives Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, 2009, in Vatican City, Vatican.
(Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
From the ascension of Pope Francis onward, the former pontiff was given the title “Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” but under canon law, he did not exercise authority over the church.
On June 29, 2021, Benedict celebrated the Platinum Jubilee, the 70th anniversary, of his priestly ordination.
