The Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at 9.34am on Saturday morning in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, the Holy See Press Office has announced.
“With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2nd of January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell,” the Press Office said.
Pope Francis had invited people to pray [1] for the Pope Emeritus at the end of the General Audience on Wednesday morning.
The Holy Father said, “I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who is supporting the Church in silence. Remember him – he is very ill – asking the Lord to console him and to sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.”
Archbishop Charles Scicluna, in a message following the announcement said that today at noon, all the churches in Malta rang their bells in greeting to Pope Benedict XVI.
The solemn hymn will also be played on the day of the Pope’s funeral on the 5th of January, with the ceremony starting at 9.30am.
“This will be done with a greeting and gratitude for the service that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI gave to Christ, the Catholic Church, and all humanity,” the Archbishop said.
Photo: Malta Archdiocese