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Ringing of bells in the Vatican after the death of Joseph Ratzinger.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
died on New Year's Eve morning at around 9.30 am at the age of 95 after a long and serious illness.
All over the world Catholics are mourning the loss of their former church leader.
Like here in Madrid.
»It is very sad, he was a great personality, not only on a religious level, but also one of the most important intellectual figures of the 20th century.«
"Pope Ratzinger was a great man and he understood when it was time for Pope Francis to leave office because he was no longer in good health."
In Munich, the bells of the Frauenkirche rang in honor of the former Pope.
'He was a relatively conservative pope, clearly, that's how I would classify him. But he was a German Pope.«
»I thought when he came to power, he would finally bring a little fresh air into the Catholic Church and abolish celibacy. But unfortunately he disappointed me. I still hope today for all the poor pastors that this will finally be abolished.«
In Limburg, the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference recalled Benedict XVI.
Georg Bätzing, Bishop of Limburg
»He was a brilliant theologian.
Like hardly anyone else, he tried to make people understand the depths of faith.
He influenced generations of theology students and had an impact far beyond that through his books.
The modest and humble nature of his appearance has remained in the memory of many people.
That's how he was, this Pope.«
But it's not just good memories that remain.
Benedict's tenure was overshadowed by abuse scandals that plunged the Catholic Church into a deep crisis.
Reinhard Cardinal Marx, Archbishop of Munich
»You don't have to ignore what didn't work out.
That's part of life.
He also commented on this in detail.
And he, and one mustn't forget this, was the first to meet with victims of abuse.
Who, perhaps still insufficiently from our point of view today, after 20 years, 15 years, has also given a stronger impetus to things in Rome than anyone else before.
I don't think you should forget that on a day like this.«
A Vatican spokesman has already announced the date for the funeral.
Benedict XVI
is to be buried next Thursday 5 January at 9:30 am.