Benedict XVI's funeral will be celebrated at 9.30am on January 5 in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95.
The Vatican made the announcement of his death at 10:30 am Rome time on Dec. 31 in a short statement translated into several languages.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” Vatican press office director Matteo Bruni said. “Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”
The Vatican added that from Jan. 2, the body of the Pope Emeritus will rest in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican “for the faithful to bid farewell.”
Bruni later told reporters in a short press briefing that Benedict XVI’s funeral will be celebrated by Pope Francis at 9.30 on Thursday, Jan. 5, in St Peter’s Square and disclosed that the Pope Emeritus received last rites on Wednesday afternoon after the Holy Mass.
Please see below for regular updates following the death of the Pope Emeritus. All times are CET.
16:47
Patrick Kelly, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, said, “Today, with over 2 million brother Knights of Columbus around the world, I join Pope Francis and the whole Church in mourning the loss of a great and holy priest and teacher — our Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI."
“The late Pope, who attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) as a priest, theological expert and advisor, went on to serve for nearly a quarter century as Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Pope John Paul II, before himself leading the Church as the Vicar of Christ," Kelly said. “As we continue to be confirmed and strengthened by Pope Benedict’s teachings about the eternal truths of our faith, Knights of Columbus throughout the world join in prayer for the repose of his soul.”
15.21
The president of the US bishops’ conference, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, has issued the following reflection on the Pope Emeritus:
“The passing from this life of Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, sounds contrasting notes of sorrow and gratitude in my heart.
“The Church gives thanks for the treasured ministry of Pope Benedict XVI. A superb theologian who lent his talents as a peritus at the Second Vatican Council, he continued throughout his long life to be an effective teacher of the faith. As a priest, university professor and theologian, archbishop, and cardinal, his voice in deepening an authentic understanding led all of us to a more profound love of truth and the mystery of God. It will take many years for us to delve more deeply into the wealth of learning that he has left us.
“Personally, I remember many meetings with him while I served in the Secretariat of State, and I will never forget his greeting to me at the first General Audience I attended some weeks after his election to the Chair of Peter. “Ci conosciamo” (we know each other) were his warm words of welcome as he took my hand between his.
“We all remember how he shocked the world in 2013 by announcing his plan to resign from his responsibilities as the Bishop of Rome, and in doing so, he continued his teaching about courage, humility, and love for the Church. He recognized the great demands made of him as the chief shepherd of the Universal Church of a billion Catholics worldwide, and his physical limitations for such a monumental task. Even in retirement, retreating to live out a life in quiet prayer and study, he continued to teach us how to be a true disciple of Christ, while still contributing to his legacy.
“Generations will continue to be enriched by his books, discourses, and homilies. They all reveal a depth of learning and reflection that is essential both in our time and in the future.
“While we grieve that he is no longer with us here, I join Catholics everywhere in offering my profound gratitude to the Lord for the gift of Pope Benedict XVI and his ministry. Together we beg our Lord to grant him eternal rest.”
14.55
In a lengthy tribute in La Civilta Cattolica, Benedict XVI’s former spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi recalls the ups and downs of his pontificate, concluding that the legacy the Pope Emeritus leaves us “is that characteristic of a theologian called to the See of Peter, who confirmed his brethren in the faith through teaching, sacramental service and the witness of life.”
14.04:
"What a great great feast for Benedict XVI to depart," tweeted Hungary's ambassador to the Holy See, Eduard Habsburg. "Saint Pope Sylvester, fighter of Arianism, Council of Nicea, Pope under Constantine the Great, overseeing the building of Papal Cathedrals. Ending a year and an epoch."
13.53:
Italy’s bishops’ conference has recalled how Benedict’s life was “based on love” which was “a reflection of his relationship with God and, in the last stretch of his life, he made this relationship with the Lord visible by keeping silence.
“We thank the Lord for the gift of his life and his service to the Church: an exemplary testimony of that incessant search for the face of the Lord (Ps 27:8), which today he can finally contemplate face to face (1 Cor 13:12).
“The Church in Italy, in particular, is grateful to him for the impetus given to the new evangelization.”
13.27:
The Pontifical Academy for Life has issued a statement saying it “shares in the Church's grief over the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
“Remembering his service ‘in the vineyard of the Lord,’ we remember him as one of the most influential theological personalities of the twentieth century, constantly striving to make the faith understandable and dependable for modern man.
“The Lord, Master of life, whom he called ‘friend and brother, good judge,’ now welcomes him into His house.”
The statement was signed by the academy’s president, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, and its chancellor, Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro.
13.20:
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Benedict. He will be remembered as one of the great theologians of the 20th century.
“I remember with particular affection the remarkable Papal Visit to these lands in 2010. We saw his courtesy, his gentleness, the perceptiveness of his mind and the openness of his welcome to everybody that he met.
“He was through and through a gentleman, through and through a scholar, through and through a pastor, through and through a man of God – close to the Lord and always his humble servant.
Pope Benedict is very much in my heart and in my prayers. I give thanks to God for his ministry and leadership.”
13.17:
The Council of European Bishops' Conferences has issued a statement saying that it "joins the prayers of the whole world in suffrage for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died today at the age of 95.
The President of the CCEE, H.E. Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, recalled in particular the "European magisterium that Benedict XVI developed during his pontificate, emphasizing the importance of Europe's Christian roots and highlighting a necessary return to Christ and to the evangelization for the construction of a civilization of love."
13.09
Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, who served as Promoter of Justice for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict, stated, “We commend our beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (1927-2022) to the mercy of the Good Shepherd, in gratitude for a life spent for the Church in humble, wise and good humored service. Requiescat in pace!”
13.08:
Bruni: "Going along with the wish of the Pope Emeritus, the funeral will be held under the banner of simplicity."
10.45:
Benedict XVI's long-serving private secretary, Archbishp Georg Gänswein, issued this statement this morning to The Tagespost Foundation:
“Papa emerito said to me and to all those who accompanied him in his last hours, "Please pray for me!" - I would like to pass on this request of the Pope Emeritus to all those whom his death touches.
For myself, his death means a great and personal loss. I am deeply grateful and at the same time very sad."
A digital book of condolence is now available here via The Tagespost Foundation:
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12:08pm EST
“The Papal Foundation joins the Universal Catholic Church in praying for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. A “simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord,” Pope Benedict was a scholar and servant, whose profound love for the Church was evident throughout his life. From 2005 to 2013, Pope Benedict demonstrated this love through his involvement in The Papal Foundation’s work, meeting the needs of the Holy See by serving the poorest of the poor in developing nations around the world. During his Papacy, the Foundation made more than 700 grants to build churches, hospitals, and schools, serving the faithful all over the globe, and awarded nearly 500 scholarships that enabled lay and religious leaders to study in Rome. Individuals were healed, educated, clothed, fed, and brought together in the Faith because of Pope Benedict’s work. We are forever grateful for his leadership and will continue to live Pope Benedict’s message in Deus Caritas Est, not only giving of what we have, but of who we are. Holy Father, Requiescat in Pace.”
11:38am EST
Franciscan University of Steubenville mourns the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 95, who died on December 31. The University community prays for the repose of his soul, offering heartfelt tributes to the beloved former pope and deeply respected theologian.
Having served the Church as a professor, theologian, prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger was elected to the papacy in April 2005 and took the name Benedict XVI. At the age of 85, he announced his resignation from the papacy on February 11, 2013, the first pope to do so in 600 years. His unexpected retirement prompted an outpouring of tributes from Franciscan University.
Serving as pope emeritus for the past 10 years, he remained active as one of the leading theologians of our time.
Worldwide attention was given to Pope Emeritus Benedict’s fascinating, nearly four-page letter to Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, on October 7, in which he affirmed the Second Vatican Council as “meaningful” and “necessary.” The letter was sent on the occasion of the Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation Annual Conference, held at Franciscan University of Steubenville Oct. 20-21, 2022.
“I am particularly moved by Benedict’s love of Jesus and his desire to make him known,” said Father Pivonka. “Benedict offered his life to the service of Jesus and his Church, and the community of Franciscan University is eternally grateful.”
“On a personal level, I’m grateful for the letter Benedict wrote to me on the gift of the Second Vatican Council, which may be among the last letters he wrote,” Father Pivonka added.
Scott Hahn, professor of biblical theology at Franciscan University and author of the book, Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI, recalled with gratitude Benedict’s profound impact as a Catholic biblical theologian and “a modern master of mystagogy—biblical-theological catechesis about the sacraments as sacred mysteries.”
“From his first moments as pope, Benedict XVI established biblical renewal as a key theme of his pontificate,” said Hahn. “In hindsight, it’s clear that no pope in over a millennium could match Benedict’s knowledge of Scripture and theology. … just as ‘The Theology of the Body’ represents the theological legacy of Pope St. John Paul II; so Pope Benedict’s ‘Biblical Theology of Christ’ will be an essential part of Benedict's lasting legacy for future generations.”
“When he resigned the office of Peter in 2013, I was among those who deeply grieved at the silencing of his voice,” Hahn added. “Today, my mourning goes deeper still.”
Regis Martin, professor of theology at Franciscan University, offered these thoughts on the legacy of Pope Benedict: “In thinking about the late pope, the impact of whose life and work has been immense and far-reaching, two striking features come to mind that characterize this extraordinary figure. One, an utter fearlessness in defending the faith that has come to us from the Apostles. And second, a complete, childlike docility in submitting his entire life to the Gospel that God himself had come among us to reveal.”
“Pope Benedict XVI will be sorely missed,” said Dr. Michael Sirilla, professor of theology at Franciscan University. “Having studied his work for many years, it is clear to me that the singular purpose of his life’s work—as a theologian, pastor, and pope—was to bring as many people as possible into a personal and saving encounter with Jesus Christ through faith.”
Stephen Hildebrand, professor of theology at Franciscan University, said, “What a gift the life of Benedict has been for the Church! The deepest and sharpest of theological minds, faithful and prudent as a pastor, a gentle soul sensitive to beauty, especially in music and in liturgy. We thank God for his life and pray for his eternal rest. May God reward this good and faithful servant!”
Earlier updates:
Friday Dec. 30:
At 3pm Rome time, the Vatican issued the following statement:
“Responding to reporters’ questions, Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni said the following:
‘Last night the Pope Emeritus was able to rest well. He also participated in the celebration of Holy Mass in his room yesterday afternoon. At present his condition is stable.’”
Italian and German media have reported that in compliance with Benedict XVI's wishes, he is not expected to be taken to hospital as all medical equipment capable of treating him is located in his residence in the Vatican Gardens. He is being treated by his personal physician, Dr. Patrizio Polisca, an expert Italian cardiologist who for a time was the doctor of Pope Francis, and a nurse.
Thursday Dec. 29:
VATICAN CITY — At 2.30pm Rome time on Thursday, Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni issued the following statement in response to reporters’ questions about Benedict XVI’s health:
“The Pope Emeritus was able to rest well last night. He is absolutely lucid and alert, and today, although his condition remains serious, the situation at the moment is stable. Pope Francis renews his invitation to pray for him and accompany him in these difficult hours.”
Sources close to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery where Benedict lives told the Register on Thursday the Pope Emeritus’ condition was very grave yesterday evening and the consensus was that he might not survive more than a few days, but his health stabilized overnight as the Vatican statement confirms.
The recent statement followed Pope Francis’ disclosure of his condition at Wednesday morning’s general audience: “I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who is supporting the Church in silence,” Francis said. “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.”
The Vatican said that after the audience, Francis visited Benedict at his Mater Ecclesiae Monastery residence in the Vatican.
The Register has contacted Benedict’s personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, for comment but he has not yet responded.
In recent years, Benedict XVI has become noticeably very frail, immobile, and unable to speak clearly, but Archbishop Gänswein and various visitors have testified to his mental alertness and relatively good health.
Earlier this month, Pope Francis praised the Pope Emeritus saying that “all of us sense his spiritual presence, his accompaniment in prayer for the whole Church and his constant contemplative gaze.”
Pope Francis was presenting the Ratzinger Prize to French Jesuit theologian Michel Fédou and Jewish law professor Joseph Weiler. Benedict was not present at the ceremony but received the prize winners at his residence.
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