Canadian Catholics around the country are mourning the loss of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI following his passing on Dec. 31.
The former prelate, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, died a natural death in the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. Since then, his body– vested in traditional red liturgical garments– has been transported to St. Peter’s basilica so that the faithful can pay their final respects to the great “theologian-pope” of the 21st century.
An estimated 35, 000 pilgrims per day have made their way to the Vatican where Benedict’s remains are to lie in repose until his funeral mass on Jan. 5, which will be presided over by his successor Pope Francis. Rome authorities said they are expecting 60,000 people to attend Benedict’s Requiem Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
Elected Rome’s 265th pope in 2005, Benedict XVI made history in 2013 when he became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years, citing that his declining strength and age made him physically unfit to continue with his parochial duties.
The 95-year-old former pontiff was especially revered for his intellect and contemplation. In a statement, Archbishop of Toronto Cardinal Thomas Collins remembered Benedict as a “great theologian” with “astonishing intellect.”
Collins added that as a pope, Benedict “led the universal church with wisdom and holiness, providing a clear and loving message of how our faith can inspire us and guide us through the storms of life’s journey.”
To honour Pope Benedict, Collins has asked all 225 Toronto parishes to add a special prayer of the faithful at all Masses for “the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI” and to lower their papal flags until his funeral mass later this Thursday.
Bishop Raymond Poisson, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops–which oversees clerical work throughout Canada– said in a statement that Benedict “leaves behind a great legacy of teaching that will continue to inspire us.”
Poisson also noted that the former prelate made special efforts to “heal the wounds of our past,” citing Benedict XVI’s meeting with a Canadian delegation, made up of representatives of Indigenous communities, to discuss their experience of residential schools back in 2009 and 2012.
“During this meeting, the Pope listened to their stories and expressed his regret and sadness for the sorrow suffered by many Indigenous people in the residential school system,” said Poisson, Bishop of Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier in Quebec. “A few years later, he canonised North America’s first Indigenous saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, also known as the ‘Lily of the Mohawks.’”
On Twitter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lauded the Pope Emeritus as an “accomplished theologian and scholar” and an “inspiration to millions.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed sadness on Twitter, stating that “the world mourns the loss of a great spiritual leader.”
“May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
