Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement as pope on February 11, 2013.
The reason he presented for his withdrawal from the papal office was attributed to his “advanced age.”
Earlier today in an official statement from the Vatican, the unfortunate death of Pope Benedict XVI was announced. The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope passed away at 9:34 AM this Saturday at his residence in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery at the age of 95.
“It is with sadness that I inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away today at 9:34 AM at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. More information will be provided as soon as possible. Starting Monday morning, January 2, 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the faithful can pay their respects to him.”
The deterioration of the health of Benedict XVI
For several days, the health conditions of the Pope Emeritus had worsened due to his advanced age, as reported by the Press Office in its updates on the evolution of the situation.
Pope Francis himself publicly shared the news of his predecessor’s worsening health at the end of the last General Audience of the year, on December 28.
Pope Francis had invited to pray for the pope emeritus, who was “very ill”, so that the Lord would console him and support him “in this testimony of love for the Church until the end”.
As a result of this invitation, prayer initiatives arose and multiplied on all continents, along with an outpouring of messages of solidarity and closeness from secular leaders.
funeral arrangements
During a briefing at the Holy See Press Office, the director, Matteo Bruni, told reporters that Pope Francis will preside over the funeral of the Pope Emeritus on January 5 at 9:30 CET in St. Peter’s Square. .
Bruni also said that on Wednesday the 28th, in the afternoon, the Pope Emeritus received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery at the end of Holy Mass.
The remains of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will rest in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery until the morning of Monday, January 2; no official visits or public prayers are anticipated.
Starting at 9 am the same day, the body of Benedict XVI will be in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the faithful can pay their final respects.
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