Pope Francis has prayed for his predecessor Benedict XVI at a particular New Year’s Day Mass.
At the service in St Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican, the pontiff prayed aloud for Benedict and implored the Virgin Mary to “accompany him in his passage to the hands” of God.
It comes after the Pope Emeritus, as Benedict was recognized after he grew to become the primary pontiff to resign in 600 years in 2013, died aged 95 on Saturday.
The Vatican stated Benedict’s physique will lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica from Monday.
Until then, it is going to stay within the small monastery inside the Vatican the place he lived.
Benedict’s funeral shall be held on Thursday in St Peter’s Square in entrance of the basilica and shall be presided over by Pope Francis.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated the funeral could be easy, solemn and sober to comply with Benedict’s needs.
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In the previous couple of years Pope Francis celebrated Benedict’s choice to resign and has recommended he would take into account such a transfer as an possibility for himself.
Suffering knee ache, the 86-year-old pope arrived on the basilica in a wheelchair earlier than the Mass on the primary day of the brand new 12 months, an event the Catholic church dedicates to the theme of peace.
The pope, who has repeatedly spoken out in opposition to the battle in Ukraine, talked about those that are victims of battle, passing the year-end holidays in darkness, chilly and worry.
“At the beginning of this year, we need hope, just as the Earth needs rain,” he stated.
Source: information.sky.com”