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The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, would preside over the funeral for former pope Benedict XVI, who has died at the age of 95, on January 5, the Vatican said Saturday.
“On Thursday, January 5, at 9:30 am (0830 GMT) the funeral is expected to take place in Saint Peter’s Square, presided over by the Holy Father,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told journalists at a special briefing following the death of the first pontiff to resign in six centuries.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) had earlier reported that Pop Francis asked the faithful to pray for the ill Pope Benedict XVI after the general audience.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Pope Benedict was under constant medical attention before his demise.
Pope Francis announced that the former Pope Benedict XVI was very sick. He asked the faithful for prayers to the retired pope. Pope Francis surprised the people after his sudden appeal at the end of his general audience.
Pope Francis did not provide any details of his illness to Pope Benedict, but the Vatican has stated the condition of ill Pope Benedict.
According to the Vatican, the condition of Pope Benedict worsened in recent hours due to his age and illness. Pope Francis went to see him after his general audience.
The Vatican added that Pope Benedict is under constant medical care, and his condition is currently stable. The health of the 96-year-old pope is deteriorating due to old age.
Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement from the papacy in 2013. He was the first pope to retire in 600 years. Since his retirement, he has been living in a convent in the Vatican, medicating most of his time in prayers and meditation.
Pope Francis said at the end of his audience that he would like to ask all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, sustaining the church in silence.
The Pope noted that Pope Benedict was sick and asked the lord to console and support him in the witness of love for the church until the end.
Pope Benedict is the first German pope in 1000 years. He was elected in 2005 and succeeded Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict, the birth name Joseph Ratzinger, left Germany in 1982. He wrote about 60 books from 1962 to 2013.
After his retirement in 2013, many questions were pointed at his decision. Some cardinals questioned his retirement and his decision to wear a white cassock even after retirement.
Another question brought up after his retirement was regarding the continued usage of the name Benedict and not converting back to Joseph Rotzinger. Critics have also said Pope Benedict’s presence in the Vatican creates confusion and threatens the church’s unity.