Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Returns to the Father's House

Our Diocese mourns the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday at the age of 95. We give thanks to God for his lifelong ministry and service in the Lord’s vineyard as a Priest, Bishop, Cardinal and Pope.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was born at Marktl am Inn, Diocese of Passau (Germany) on 16 April 1927 (Holy Saturday) and was baptised on the same day.

His father, a Police Commissioner, belonged to an old family of farmers from Lower Bavaria of modest economic resources. His mother was the daughter of artisans from Rimsting on the shore of Lake Chiem. Before marrying, she worked as a cook in a number of hotels.

Joseph spent his childhood and adolescence in Traunstein, a small village near the Austrian border, thirty kilometres from Salzburg. In this environment, which he himself has defined as “Mozartian”, he received his Christian, cultural and human formation.

His youthful years were not easy. His faith and the education received at home prepared him for the harsh experience of those years during which the Nazi regime pursued a hostile attitude towards the Catholic Church. The young Joseph saw how some Nazis beat the Parish Priest before the celebration of Mass.

It was precisely during that complex situation that he discovered the beauty and truth of faith in Christ; fundamental for this was his family’s attitude, who always gave a clear witness of goodness and hope, rooted in a convinced attachment to the Church.

Prior to his papal election, Pope Benedict was renowned as an accomplished and respected theologian. A gifted teacher and prolific academic theologian, he was appointed as Professor of theology in 1958, aged only 31. He exhibited a particular capacity to make difficult theological concepts accessible to his students and readers, a teaching charism that accounts for the popularity of his writings about Jesus, Christianity and faith. Having worked in several German universities, this young professor played a significant role as a theological advisor during the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). In 1977, he was appointed as Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977. In 1981, Benedict XVI was asked to serve as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and principal theological advisor to Pope John Paul II. His writings and interviews (such as those with Prof. Jűrgen Habermas) on the relationship between faith and reason in contemporary culture remain foundational for the presentation of Christian faith as the Church seeks to provide reasons for the faith that is within us. (1 Peter 3:15)

Elected Pope on 19th April 2005, and following in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI initiated reforms within the Vatican Dicasteries which have been taken forward by Pope Francis.

Pope Emeritus Benedict published many scholarly writings. In his papal encyclicals and his many theological texts, Pope Benedict has provided insight into the central teachings of the Christian faith. His first papal encyclical Deus Caritas est (2005) offered a profound reflection on the nature of human and divine love and encouraged the sharing of God’s love with others through acts of charity. Spe salvi (2007) centred on the theme of Christian hope which is grounded upon faith in God. Caritas in veritate (2009) which emphasised the importance of Christian action in the world and integral human development. A prolific theological author, one of his more recent famous works is ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ which comprehensively provides a Gospel portrait of Jesus Christ.

He was a shy man of profound faith and keen intellect who throughout his life endeavoured to hold up to the world of today the immense richness and relevance of the Christian vision of life. At the Mass for his inauguration in Rome, he described himself as a “weak servant of God” and appealed for prayer that the Lord would “protect” him and “sustain” him and “carry” him.

As Pope, he faced the joys and sorrows that such a weighty office brings with it. His historic decision to resign on health grounds in 2013 will forever frame the insightful humility and unshakeable trust in God that marked his life.

In 2010, Pope Emeritus Benedict issued a Pastoral Letter to the Church in Ireland, addressing the scandalous abuse of children by clergy. This provided an impetus to further strengthening the national safeguarding policies and procedures in Ireland to ensure that the church would be a safer place for children and adults at risk.

Since his resignation in February 2013, Pope Benedict has sought to serve the Church through a life dedicated to prayer. In more recent years, Pope Benedict has also carried the personal cross of human suffering and illness.

Lord, grant him eternal rest and welcome him into the eternal light and peace of God’s Heavenly kingdom.
The following words are an extract from Pope Benedict’s Prayer for the Church of Ireland (2010):
“God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal,
the charity which purifies and opens our hearts
to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.”

The funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter’s Square.

Benedict XVI will be buried in the crypt under St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis will preside over the funeral, which, in keeping with Benedict’s wishes, “will be carried out under the sign of simplicity.”

Benedict’s death, at the age of 95, was announced in Rome on Dec. 31. His body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica from the morning of Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.