“The foundation of the world is love.” – Pope Benedict XVI
The coffin of the late Pope Benedict XVI is placed in its final resting place in the grottos of St. Peter’s Basilica. The cypress coffin is placed inside a zinc coffin which is placed inside an oak coffin and then buried.
Eternal memory.
Three articles worth our time in seriously reflecting upon the life, work and service of Benedict XVI. Two of the articles are written by Connecticut resident John Burger, an exceptional journalist. The other is a published essay by Australian Tracey Rowland, a well-known theologian and expert on the thought of Benedict.
1. Benedict XVI, the pope of surprises
2. “One of the truly great”: Pope Benedict passes at 95 on the last day of 2022
His Holiness, Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI has fallen asleep in the Lord today after a long life and a distinguished life of service.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”
Statement of Matteo Bruni
Director of the Holy See Press Office
Archbishop Georg Gaenswein writes: “Papa emerito said to me and to all those who accompanied him in his last hours, “Please pray for me!” –I would like to pass on this request of the Pope Emeritus to all those whom his death touches. For myself, his death means a great and personal loss. I am deeply grateful and at the same time very sad.”
Let us pray.
O God of all spiritual and corporeal beings,
You trampled death, broke the power
of Satan and granted life to the whole world.
Now, O Lord, grant also rest to the soul of
Your departed servant Benedict XVI in a place of light,
freshness, and peace, where there is no
pain, sorrow, or mourning.
As a gracious God and loving mankind, forgive him
every transgression committed by him
in word, deed, or thought, since there is no
man alive who has not sinned. You alone
are without sin and Your justice is everlasting
justice, and Your word is always the truth.
For You are the resurrection, the life and
the rest of Your departed Benedict, O
Christ our God, and we render glory to You,
together with Your Eternal Father, and Your
most Holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and forever. Amen.
(Attributed to St. John Chrysostom)
Pope Francis today at the end of the weekly address, asked for prayers for Pope Benedict XVI, saying he is “very sick” and asking God “to console and sustain him in his witness of love for the church until the end.”
There is no official announcement from the Vatican yet.
Pray for Pope Benedict.
St Michael the Archangel, pray for Pope Benedict.
