Following the announcement of the passing on of Pope Emeritus, Benedict xvi today, December 31, 2022, more tributes from Church hierarchy, political leaders and people from all walks of life have continued to pour in.
Francis Cardinal Arinze, in a handwritten message sent to Prime Business Africa, described the Pope emeritus as “a great pillar of strength.”
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On hearing of the death of Pope Emeritus, Benedict xvi, Francis Cardinal cut short his holiday to return to the Vatican for the burial.
He declared: “Pope Benedict xvi was a great Pope, a pillar of strength in the teaching of the Catholic faith, a great catechist, a humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard, a lover of the sacred Tradition of the Church and a lovable pastor in encouraging little ones in the faith. May God give his lovely soul eternal rest.+ Francis Cardinal Arinze.”
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The German cleric served as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church from 2005 until his resignation in 2013.
A statement from Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, had said: “With sorrow, I inform you that 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.”
Pope Francis announced during his weekly audience on 28 December that Benedict was “very sick”.
Benedict, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in Germany in 1927, he grew up in the rural area of Bavaria.
