Catholic worshippers throughout the UK will pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at Mass companies on Sunday after he died aged 95.
Pope Francis led prayers for his late predecessor on the Vatican as we speak at a Mass which additionally marked the start of the New Yr.
It comes after the Vatican introduced Benedict, the primary pope in 600 years to resign from the position, died within the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery within the Vatican at 9.34am on Saturday.
An array of world leaders honoured his legacy, with King Charles expressing his ‘deep unhappiness’ at Benedict’s dying in a message to Francis, as the pinnacle of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, additionally paid tribute.
US president Joe Biden referred to as Benedict an ‘inspiration to all’ and ‘a famend theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his rules and religion’.
Pope Francis holds a Mass for the solemnity of St. Mary in the beginning of the brand new 12 months, in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at Munich airport earlier than his departure to Rome in 2020
A spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops’ Convention of England and Wales confirmed that Catholics up and down the UK might be praying for Benedict on Sunday.
Its common secretary, the Reverend Canon Chris Thomas, mentioned: ‘We encourage Catholics in England and Wales to maintain Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI of their prayers.’
Benedict grew to become the second pontiff in historical past to go to the UK in 2010 when he met the Queen and made a historic deal with at Westminster Corridor.
His funeral will happen at 8.30am UK time on Thursday, in St Peter’s Sq., Vatican Metropolis, presided over by Francis, who succeeded Benedict as pope in 2013.
From Monday, his physique might be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the worshippers pays their respects.
Pope Francis arrives to carry a Mass for the solemnity of St. Mary in the beginning of the brand new 12 months, in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023
Pope Francis arrives to have fun Mass to mark the World Day of Peace in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican, January 1, 2023
Queen Elizabeth II talks with Pope Benedict XVI change presents throughout an viewers within the Morning Drawing Room on the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, September 2010
Former pope Benedict, 95, seems on as he receives the winners of the ‘Premio Ratzinger’ on the Vatican, December 1, 2022
Talking on Saturday, the pinnacle of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, mentioned he needs Catholic church buildings within the UK to ‘echo the funeral Mass’ with their very own ceremonies on Thursday.
Providing phrases of consolation to UK Catholics, he added: ‘We draw energy and luxury from our religion when anyone dies and when it is the pope that dies it is the identical story, it is the identical prayers.
‘We commend them to God and we thank God for the good presents of their life and particularly of his life.’
He added: ‘I used to be consoled by a remark I heard that any individual had made in Rome a few days in the past, the place they put it reasonably fantastically – they mentioned, ‘The angels are gathering, they’re coming to take him dwelling’.’
In a press release, Charles paid tribute to Benedict and recalled visiting him on the Vatican in 2009.
He mentioned: ‘I bear in mind with fondness my assembly with His Holiness throughout my go to to the Vatican in 2009. His go to to the UK in 2010 was essential in strengthening the relations between the Holy See and the UK.
‘I additionally recall his fixed efforts to advertise peace and goodwill to all individuals, and to strengthen the connection between the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.’
Pope Francis is seated as he prepares to preside over the service marking the World Day of Peace at St Peter’s Basilica, in The Vatican on January 1, 2023. – Pope Francis will deal with the Catholic devoted on January 1, 2023, on the Vatican, the day after the dying of his predecessor Benedict XVI on the age of 95
Pope Francis (proper) maintain fingers with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he pays him a go to on the Vatican in November 2020
FILE – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presents a e book with the paperwork issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Religion throughout a press convention on the Vatican on Dec. 12, 1985. Ratzinger went on to develop into Pope Benedict XVI
Joseph Ratzinger was elected because the 265th pope on April 19 2005, aged 78, and selected the identify Benedict.
He served till February 2013 earlier than changing into the primary pope in 600 years to resign, citing his outdated age and declining well being.
Mr Welby hailed Benedict as ‘one of many biggest theologians of his age’.
In a press release, he mentioned Benedict was ‘dedicated to the religion of the Church and stalwart in its defence’.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter: ‘I’m saddened to be taught of the dying of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
‘He was an incredible theologian whose UK go to in 2010 was a historic second for each Catholics and non-Catholics all through our nation.’
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer mentioned: ‘His state go to in 2010 was a historic and joyous second for Catholics in Britain.’
