Benedict XVI
, the first Pope emeritus after his historic resignation from the pontificate in February 2013, ended his earthly journey this morning.
"It is with pain that I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9.34 am, in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican", reported the director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni, also announcing that from the morning of
Monday 2 January
, the body of
Joseph Ratzinger
will be in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for the greeting of the faithful.
And while the news immediately went around the world, messages and testimonies of condolences began to arrive from every continent.
In the Vatican press room, which immediately filled up with reporters, photographers and television crews from all over the world, at noon Bruni gave a terse briefing, explaining that
the funeral of Benedict XVI will be celebrated on Thursday 5 January, at 9.30
, in St. Peter's Square and will be presided over by Pope Francis.
Pope Francis: Grateful for having him among us
.
"Speaking of kindness, at this moment, our thoughts spontaneously go to the dearest Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who left us this morning. With emotion we remember his person, so noble, so kind. And we feel so much gratitude in our hearts: gratitude to God for having given it to the Church and to the world; gratitude to him for all the good he has done, and above all for his testimony of faith and prayer, especially in these last years of his retired life. Only God knows the value and strength of his intercession, of his sacrifices offered for the good of the Church".
Thus Pope Francis in the Te Deum.
"Stand firm in the faith! Don't be confused!... Jesus Christ is truly the way, the truth and the life - and the Church, with all its insufficiencies, is truly His body."
This is one of the spiritual bequests that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI entrusts to the faithful in his
will
, which is published in the book Nothing but the truth written by Archbishop Georg Gänswein, his private secretary, with Saverio Gaeta, for the Piemme editions and out in early January.
This is what ANSA learns in advance.
Ratzinger, the first Pope Emeritus, has died
The revolutionary choice of resignation
ANSA agency
The ANSA flash of February 11, 2013 that went around the world - Politics
It was a public holiday for the Vatican, that February 11, 2013. It is remembered that every year, apart from the Madonna of Lourdes, the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts, and the office hours are reduced.
(HANDLE)
"According to the wish of the Pope emeritus, his funeral will be held in the name of simplicity. They will be solemn but sober", said the Vatican spokesman.
"The explicit request from the Pope Emeritus is that everything be in the name of simplicity, as regards the funerals, the rites, the gestures of this time of pain", he added.
Thus come to an end the days of great apprehension over the Pope's aggravated condition, which began last Wednesday when, at the end of the general audience in the Sala Nervi, Pope Francis asked the faithful to say a "special prayer" for his predecessor, who was "very ill", " asking the Lord to console him, to support him in this testimony of love for the Church, until the end".
Ratzinger's Lectio magistralis in the Senate in 2004
On the same afternoon last Wednesday, again in the Mater Ecclesia Monastery and in the presence of the 'memores domini' who look after the house, Ratzinger received the anointing of the sick, Matteo Bruni reported today.
Yesterday afternoon, in prayer for the Pope emeritus, the diocese of Rome promoted a mass in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, presided over by the cardinal vicar Angelo De Donatis.
And even today, after the news of his death was communicated, moments of prayer and condolences began in the parishes and dioceses.
Meanwhile, preparations are starting in the Vatican for the rites of the next few days which, despite the "simplicity" requested by Benedict XVI, will include public moments in the Basilica and in the Square and also the arrival of foreign delegations for the funeral.
"The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is a mourning for Italy - says the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella -. His gentleness and wisdom have benefited our community and the entire international community. With dedication he continued to serve the cause of his Church in the unprecedented guise of Pope Emeritus with humility and serenity. His figure remains unforgettable for the Italian people. An intellectual and theologian, he interpreted with subtlety the reasons for dialogue, peace, dignity of the person, as supreme interests of religions.
ANSA. it
The life and pontificate of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in images - Close-up
(HANDLE)
"The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is a mourning for Italy. His gentleness and wisdom have benefited our community and the entire international community. With dedication he continued to serve the cause of his Church in the unprecedented role of Pope emeritus with humility and serenity. His figure remains unforgettable for the Italian people. An intellectual and theologian, he interpreted with subtlety the reasons for dialogue, peace, the dignity of the person, as the supreme interests of religions. With gratitude we look to his testimony and to his example".
The President of the Republic,
Sergio Mattarella
says so .
The tribute of the world to the pope emeritus.
ANSA agency
Ratzinger Pope Emeritus, cohabitation with his successor - Politics
Two Popes in the Vatican, unprecedented situation in history (ANSA)
