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Pope Benedict XVI is on Saturday morning. died after a long illness.
The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. († 95) has caused sadness and dismay all over the world. Messages of condolence are pouring in from everywhere. Pope Francis (86) paid tribute to his deceased predecessor in the sermon of the Vespers service on New Year’s Eve. With emotion, the Argentine thinks of the “so noble, so gentle person”. He felt gratitude to Benedict for “all the good that he has done”.
The retired Pope is also commemorated in this country. For example, Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis (61) wrote on Twitter that Benedict XVI. I knew how to “combine great intellectual depth and modesty and always work for the good of mankind”.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard also expressed its sorrow at the death of Benedict XVI. stated. “It was a great honor for all the Wardens who were able to serve him during his eight years as head of the Catholic Church.”
“A Historical Personality”
After the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the Swiss Bishops’ Conference called on the Roman Catholic parishes to ring the church bells in honor of Benedict. At 3 p.m. the parishes were called to ring the bells. In addition, the parishes were asked, in the Sunday services on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day for Pope Benedict XVI. to pray.
Especially in Germany, the country of birth of the former pope, his death caused a stir. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64) was one of the first to commemorate the deceased. “The world is losing a formative figure in the Catholic Church, a controversial personality and a wise theologian,” he wrote on Twitter.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (68) reported that she had heard the news of his death with “great sadness”. «Benedict XVI was the first German in the papal office for centuries. Relations with orthodox Christians were just as important to him as dialogue with Jews and Muslims.”
Putin also expresses his condolences
Even Russian President Putin (70) commemorated the late Pope. «Benedict XVI was a prominent religious and statesman. I had the opportunity to exchange ideas with this outstanding person and I will always cherish the fondest memories of him,” Putin said in the condolence letter released by the Kremlin on Saturday.
The British King Charles III. (74) expressed his sympathy for the death of Benedict XVI. expressed. In a letter of condolence to Pope Francis on Saturday, Charles wrote that he received the news of the death of the Pope Emeritus with “great sadness”.
The spiritual leader of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury, paid tribute to Benedict XVI. as “one of the greatest theologians of his time”. Benedict also recognized the “fragility of man” with his decision to resign from the office of head of the Catholic Church.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (42) also agreed. He was “sad” about the death of the Pope Emeritus. His visit to the UK in 2010 was a “historic moment” for both Catholics and non-Catholics, the prime minister said on Twitter.
Funeral service with Pope Francis
Pope Benedict XVI is on Saturday morning. died after a long illness. The body will be laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica from next Monday, and believers can then say goodbye.
A funeral service will then be held on January 5th in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. The mass with Pope Francis (86) should therefore begin at 9.30 a.m. Tickets for the open-air event are not required.
The city of Rome expects up to 60,000 people who want to pay their last respects to the late Pope. A no-fly zone is even declared over the Vatican during the celebration in St. Peter’s Square.
After the funeral service, Benedict XVI. then buried in the crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica. (ced/SDA/AFP)