Newsman: Former Pope Benedict XVI, passed away on December 31st Saturday at a monastery in Vatican City, at the age of 95.
The former Pope’s body was moved from the monastery to St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday morning, where it was laid out for the faithful to bid farewell, the Vatican said. Thousands of people filed by to pay tribute to the pontiff Former Pope Benedict XVI
Former Pop Benedict’s funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. local time (3:30 a.m. ET) on Thursday in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, according to the director of the press office of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni. The funeral will be led by Pope Francis. In line with Benedict’s wishes, his funeral will be “simple,” Bruni said.
Former Pop Benedict was the first head of the Roman Catholic Church and bishop of Rome in almost 600 years to resign his position, rather than hold office for life, according to a statement from the Vatican. He practically stunned the Catholic faithful and religious experts around the world in 2013 when he announced plans to step down from his position as Pope, citing his “advanced age.”
In his farewell address, the outgoing Pope promised to stay “hidden” from the world, but he continued to speak out on religious matters in the years following his retirement, contributing to tensions within the Catholic Church.
He was elected Pope in April 2005, following John Paul II’s death.
Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor while leading the Angelus prayer on Sunday.
“In particular, this salute is to the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who yesterday morning passed away. We salute him as a faithful servant of the gospel,” he said.
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His death prompted tributes from political and religious leaders including US President Joe Biden, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
