Former Pope Benedict XVI is believed to have died at the age of 95, more than a decade after stepping down as head of the Catholic Church due to “advanced age” and poor health. The Vatican released an official statement announcing his death:
“It is with mourning that I inform you that Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 am at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as feasible.”
The Vatican also said Pope Benedict’s body will be deposited at St Peter’s Basilica to “welcome the faithful” starting January 2, 2023. The Supreme Pontiff is said to have spent his final years. during his lifetime in the Vatican convent of Mater Ecclesiae, and his successor, Pope Francis, made many visits. In the wake of Benedict’s death, Pope Francis revealed that his predecessor was “extremely unwell” and asked for prayers during Wednesday’s public audience at the Vatican:
“I would like to ask all of you a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who maintained the Church in his silence. He is very sick. We ask God to comfort and sustain him in bearing witness to his love for the Church to the end.”
“Do not be satisfied with anything lower than Truth and Love, do not be satisfied with anything lower than Christ.”
Thank you, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, for pointing us to Christ. May the angels lead you to heaven. https://t.co/EfcFhOaiSU
— Ap. José H. Gomez (@ArchbishopGomez) December 31, 2022
Meanwhile, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni claimed that Pope Benedict’s health had “deteriorated” “due to the passage of time”. According to Reuters, one of the last images of Benedict was taken on December 1 when he met the theological prize winners that bear his name. During the ceremony, he was said to have been seated and appeared frail. According to the newspaper, people who saw Benedict during his dying days said his mind was very intelligent even when his body was weak. Pope Benedict presided over the Catholic Church for almost eight years until his resignation in 2013. He was the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
Pope Benedict resigns
Before being elected Pope on April 19, 2005, Benedict XVI was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the head of the Vatican’s catechetical office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) at the time. He replaced the much-loved Pope John Paul II as the first German pope in 1000 years. Many issues have marred his rule, notably the 2012 “Vatileaks” affair, allegations of abuse against certain priests, and the apparent inaction of Benedict XVI on the matter. This.
Despite the controversy, Pope Benedict established himself as the powerful voice of the Catholic Church and served as Pope for eight years. However, he shocked the Catholic Church when he resigned on February 11, 2013, at the age of 85. At the time, the Supreme Pontiff attributed “old age” to his retirement, that he is no longer qualified to lead. there are an estimated 1.2 billion Catholics in the world:
“I have to admit that I am not capable of fulfilling my assigned mission.”
Benedict was named Pope emeritus and pledged to “hide himself from the public” while focusing on private prayer. After his retirement, he is said to have spent his time reading, playing the piano, writing letters and essays, and entertaining people at his monastery. At the time of his resignation, Pope Benedict’s communications secretary, Father Federico Lombardi, stated that the church needed a leader with greater physical and mental vitality to face the challenges:
“The church needs someone with more physical and mental vitality to address the issues and challenges of church governance in this ever-changing contemporary world.”
Benedict became the first Pope to resign in 600 years, following the resignation of Gregory XII in 1415. On February 28, 2013, he officially resigned as head of the Catholic Church.
Categories: Biography
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
