Pope Francis marked the Roman Catholic Church's traditional World Day of Peace on Sunday but the start of the new year at the Vatican was overshadowed by the death of his predecessor, Benedict.
at the age of 95, was being prepared for three day of public viewing in the same church starting Monday.will be simple, solemn and sober. It will be the first time in many centuries that a sitting pope will preside at the funeral of his predecessor. Benedict, who stepped down in 2013, had been the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.
Francis urged his listeners to work actively for peace, and not "waste time glued to a keyboard in front of a computer screen" but to "dirty our hands and to do some good".On Saturday night the Vatican released Benedict's two-page "spiritual testimony" written in 2006, a year after his election as pope. There was no explanation why Benedict did not update it as he became older and more frail.
Some recalled the severe discipline he meted out to progressive theologians, particularly in Latin America, when he was head of the Vatican's doctrinal department under Pope John Paul II. Those actions prompted liberal Catholics to dub then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger "God's Rottweiler". "In our view, the death of Pope Benedict XVI is a reminder that, much like John Paul II, Benedict was more concerned about the Church’s deteriorating image and financial flow to the hierarchy versus grasping the concept of true apologies followed by true amends to victims of abuse," the anti-abuse group SNAP said.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Pope Benedict in stable condition after 'peaceful night' - VaticanFormer Pope Benedict is in a 'stable' condition, the Vatican said on Friday, amid continued concern for the health of the 95-year-old retired pontiff.
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dead at 95, Vatican saysPope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the shy German theologian who tried to reawaken Christianity in a secularized Europe but will forever be remembered as the first pontiff in 600 years to resign from the job, died Saturday. He was 95.
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dead at 95, Vatican saysThe Vatican announced Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died Saturday morning at the age of 95, making him older than any previous pope at his time of death.
Read more »
Former Pope Benedict XVI dies in Vatican monastery aged 95 | CNNDignitaries and religious leaders have been paying tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died Saturday in a monastery in the Vatican at the age of 95.
Read more »
Vatican faces an unprecedented challenge: How to hold a funeral for Pope Emeritus BenedictBenedict took the unusual step in 2013 to retire after almost eight years, citing his physical and mental health. Typically, popes serve until death, and Benedict is the first pope since the 1400s to leave office alive.
Read more »
Benedict XVI: Tributes pour in for pope emeritus as Vatican plans 'simple' funeralFor all his accomplishments and accolades, Benedict will forever be known as the first pope in 600 years to resign.
Read more »