Pope Francis, in his first public reaction to the death of his predecessorcalled former Pope Benedict XVI a noble, good-natured man who was a gift to the Church and the world.
The pontiff was speaking at the New Year’s Eve thanksgiving vespers sermon at St. Peter’s Basilica.
“We remember his face with emotion, so much for former Pope Benedict. And we feel in our hearts such gratitude, gratitude to God for giving him to the Church and to the world,” Francis said.
Former Pope Benedict XVI will be buried on January 5 in a crypt at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Vatican announced.
“The casket of the pontiff emeritus will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Vatican caves (where the papal tombs are located) to be buried there,” the press service of the Holy See said.
Source: News Beast
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