Global leaders have paid tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 95. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the former Pope will be remembered for his “rich service to society.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Benedict “sent a strong signal through his resignation.” French President Emmanuel Macron said his “thoughts” were with Catholics around the world and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the former pope “was a special church leader for many.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “saddened” by the former pope’s death. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised Benedict’s “tenacious commitment to nonviolence and peace.” Russian President Vladimir Putin called Benedict “an outstanding person.” Benedict was the longest-living pope and his funeral will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis presiding over the mass.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the first pope to voluntarily give up the pontifical reins in nearly 600 years, passed away on Saturday in Vatican City at the age of 95. Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in Germany in 1927, Benedict was a Bavarian-born theologian who earned the nickname “God’s Rottweiler.” Global leaders have paid tribute to the former Pope, who spent his twilight years living at the Vatican in a refurbished monastery, rarely appearing in public with Pope Francis.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the former Pope will be remembered for his “rich service to society.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Benedict “sent a strong signal through his resignation.” French President Emmanuel Macron said his “thoughts” were with Catholics around the world and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the former pope “was a special church leader for many.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “saddened” by the former pope’s death. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised Benedict’s “tenacious commitment to nonviolence and peace.” Russian President Vladimir Putin called Benedict “an outstanding person.”
Benedict’s funeral will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis presiding over the mass. His coffin will then be transported back to St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Vatican Grottoes — a spread of papal tombs below St. Peter’s — for burial. Benedict was the longest-living pope, having surpassed Pope Leo XIII in September 2020.
Global leaders have paid tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 95. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the former Pope will be remembered for his “rich service to society.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Benedict “sent a strong signal through his resignation.” French President Emmanuel Macron said his “thoughts” were with Catholics around the world and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the former pope “was a special church leader for many.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “saddened” by the former pope’s death. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised Benedict’s “tenacious commitment to nonviolence and peace.” Russian President Vladimir Putin called Benedict “an outstanding person.”
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the first pope to voluntarily give up the pontifical reins in nearly 600 years, passed away on Saturday in Vatican City at the age of 95. Global leaders have paid tribute to the former Pope, honoring his legacy and service to society. His funeral will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis presiding over the mass. Benedict was the longest-living pope, having surpassed Pope Leo XIII in September 2020.
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