With bells tolling, tens of thousands of faithful, political leaders and the pope himself mourned Benedict XVI, the German theologian who made history by resigning the papacy, at a rare requiem Mass Thursday.
Francis has praised Benedict’s courage in stepping aside, saying it “opened the door” forSome 50,000 people attended Thursday's Mass, according to the Vatican, after some 200,000 paid their respects during three days of public viewing.
“The first spark of my vocation started under the pontificate of Benedict, but then it became even stronger under Pope Francis,” Colonna said, while sitting in prayer in St. Peter’s Square at dawn. “I see a continuity between these two popes and the fact that today Francis is celebrating the funeral in Benedict’s memory is an historical event."
Early Thursday the Vatican released the official history of Benedict's life, a short document in Latin that was placed in a metal cylinder in his coffin before it was sealed, along with the coins and medallions minted during his papacy and his pallium stoles. Francis didn’t mention Benedict’s specific legacy in his homily and only uttered his name once, in the final line, delivering instead a meditation on Jesus’ willingness to entrust himself to God’s will.
His legacy was marred by the clergy sexual abuse scandal, even though he recognized earlier than most the “filth” of priests who raped children, and actually laid the groundwork for the Holy See to punish them.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Faithful mourn Benedict XVI at funeral presided over by popeThe crowd applauded as pallbearers carried Benedict’s cypress coffin out of the fog-shrouded St. Peter’s Basilica and rested it before the altar in the vast square outside.
Read more »
Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to be held at San Fernando Cathedral on WednesdayA Mass to remember the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at San Fernando Cathedral.
Read more »
LA Cathedral to hold special Mass as former Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI laid to restBenedict — born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, and the first to resign the post in 600 years — died on Dec. 31, prompting a global outpouring of reaction.
Read more »
How to watch the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI, the Roman Catholic Church’s first pope to resign from the papacy in over 600 years, died on December, 31 at the age of 95. Since no pope in...
Read more »
Catholics in the US unite to mourn Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI | CNNRare masses, red vestments, black shrouds, an ancient mourning period -- and live streams. American Catholics turn to tradition and a little technology to honor the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Read more »