Pope Francis delivers New Year’s address as Vatican prepares to mourn his predecessor – National | 24CA News
Pope Francis prayed for his predecessor’s passage to heaven and once more expressed thanks for a lifetime of service to the church, throughout New Year’s Day appearances a day after Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in retirement on the Vatican.
St. Peter’s Basilica, the place Francis presided over a mid-morning New Year’s Mass, will host Benedict’s coffin beginning on Monday. Thousands of trustworthy are anticipated to file by the coffin in three days of viewing.
Benedict, 95, died Saturday morning within the Vatican monastery the place he had lived since retirement. He was the primary pope in centuries to resign, citing his growing frailty.
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On Sunday, Benedict’s physique lay on a burgundy-colored bier within the chapel of the monastery. He was wearing a miter, the headgear of a bishop, and a crimson cloak-like vestment. A rosary was positioned in his hand. Behind him –seen in images launched by the Vatican– was the chapel’s altar, and a embellished Christmas tree.
Francis regarded weary and sat along with his head bowed as Mass started on the primary day of the 12 months, an event the Catholic church dedicates to the theme of peace.
He departed briefly from studying his homily, with its emphasis on hope and peace, to wish aloud for Benedict.
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“Today we entrust to our Blessed Mother our beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, so that she may accompany him in his passage from this world to God,” he stated.
Later, Francis delivered extra remarks concerning the retired pontiff when he provided New Year’s greetings to hundreds gathered in St. Peter’s Square
Referring to Mary, Francis stated that “in these hours, we invoke her intercession, in particular for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who, yesterday morning, left this world.”
“Let us unite all together, with one heart and one soul, in giving thanks to God for the gift of this faithful servant of the Gospel and of the church,” stated Francis, talking from a window of the Apostolic Palace to pilgrims and vacationers under.
The sq. would be the setting for Benedict’s funeral led by Francis on Thursday morning. That ceremony shall be a easy one, the Vatican has stated, in step with the needs of Benedict, who for many years as a German cardinal had served because the Church’s guardian of doctrinal orthodoxy earlier than he was elected pope in 2005.
In the final years, Francis has hailed Benedict’s gorgeous choice to develop into the primary pope to resign in 600 years and has made clear he’d contemplate such a step as an choice for himself.
Hobbled by knee ache, Francis, 86, on Sunday arrived within the basilica in a wheelchair, earlier than taking his place in a chair for the Mass, which was being celebrated by the Vatican’s secretary of state.
Francis, who has repeatedly decried the struggle in Ukraine and its devastation, recalled those that are victims of struggle, passing the year-end holidays in darkness, chilly and concern.
“At the beginning of this year, we need hope, just as the Earth needs rain,” Francis stated in his homily.
When addressing the trustworthy in St. Peter’s Square, Francis cited the “intolerable” struggle in Ukraine, which started in February of final 12 months with Russia’s assaults and invasion, and in different places on this planet.
Yet, Francis stated, “let us not lose hope” that peace will prevail. “In the entire world, in all peoples, a cry is rising, `no to war, no to re-armament’ but (may) the resources go to development, health, food, education, work.”
© 2023 The Associated Press
