The Holy See Press Office announced that Pope emeritus Benedict XVI died at 9:34 a.m. CET Saturday, Dec. 31, in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. The 95-year-old Pope emeritus had chosen the monastery as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, said the Pope emeritus received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick in the monastery at the end of Mass on Dec. 28.
Local observances to mark Pope Benedict’s death:
- Church bells at parishes in the Diocese of Grand Rapids will toll at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 to mark the Pope’s death.
- Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate the 12:05 p.m. Mass on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew with a special intention for Pope Benedict XVI.
- Bishop Walkowiak is encouraging all members of the faithful to recite a rosary for the repose of Pope Benedict XVI’s soul from the day of his death through the day of his funeral Mass, Jan. 5.
Read Bishop Walkowiak’s statement regarding the death of Pope Benedict XVI
Funeral information:
- Beginning Jan. 2, 2023, the body of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI will lie in state in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can pay their respects.
- Pope Francis presided over the funeral of the Pope emeritus on Jan. 5 at 9:30 CET (3:30 a.m. ET) in St. Peter’s Square.
- WATCH FUNERAL MASS VIDEO (Vatican News YouTube)
Replays of the funeral Mass will air on EWTN at 2:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET.
(Channel finder | Liturgical Aid for the Mass | Prayers and readings for the funeral) - Beginning Jan. 5, pray a novena in memory of Pope Benedict XVI (USCCB, English and Spanish)
- WATCH FUNERAL MASS VIDEO (Vatican News YouTube)
Highlights of Pope Benedict XVI’s life and ministry:
Key events in Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate (Vatican News)
Pope Benedict’s role in the development of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican News)
Encyclicals
Apostolic Exhortations
Local News Coverage:
Local Catholics celebrate Mass in honor of Pope Benedict (WOOD TV8, Jan. 5, 2023)
West Michigan priest reflects on meeting late Pope Benedict XVI (WZZM 13, Jan. 4, 2023)
West Michigan Catholic leaders remember Pope Benedict (WOOD TV8, Jan. 2, 2023)
Additional Resources:
Pope Benedict (Catholic News Service)
Memorial prayer card (English | Spanish)
Statement of Archbishop Broglio, president of the USCCB
Statement from the Michigan Catholic Conference
Pope Francis asks for prayers for ailing Pope Benedict XVI (Published Dec. 28, 2022)
