The Death of the Former Pope Benedict Overshadows Vatican’s New Year

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VATICAN CITY — 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.

Francis presided at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica as the body of Benedict, who died on Saturday at the age of 95, was being prepared for three days of public viewing in the same church starting Monday.

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Sunday saw the Vatican release the first images showing the death of Benedict. He was dressed in liturgical vestments in red and gold and was seen laying in state at the monastery chapel where he died.

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His body will not be publicly moved to the basilica like the funeral of Pope John Paul in 2005, which was live televised around the world.

In accordance with Benedict’s wishes, his funeral on Thursday will be simple and solemn. This will be the first time that a sitting pope has presided at the funeral of his predecessor in many centuries. Benedict, who had resigned in 2013, was the first pontiff in 600-years to do so.

Jan. 1, also marks the feast of Mother of God. In his homily Francis requested that the Madonna accompany him. “our beloved” Pope Emeritus Benedict “on his passage from this world to God.”

In one of the Mass prayers, Benedict was also mentioned.

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Francis exhorted his listeners in his homily to actively work for peace and not just passively. “waste time glued to a keyboard in front of a computer screen” But to “dirty our hands and to do some good.”

Later at his Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Square, Francis made another appeal for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, saying it was “intolerable contrast” The theme for the day.

PRAISE, BUT ALSO CRITECISM FOR BENEDICT

On Saturday night the Vatican released Benedict’s two-page “spiritual testimony” This was one year after Benedict became pope. It was impossible to understand why Benedict didn’t update it as he grew older and frailer.

He asked God in a general spiritual way if he would be open to inner life. “despite all my sins and insufficiencies.”

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Saturday’s call by Francis to Benedict was one of the greatest gifts the Church and the World received from Benedict.

Although world leaders and conservative members were continuing to pay tribute to the former pope, many others were harshly critical of his pontificate.

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. These actions led liberal Catholics to name him Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger “God’s Rottweiler.”

And while some have credited Benedict with taking important steps to formalize the Vatican’s response to clergy sexual abuse, victims groups accused him of protecting the institution at all costs.

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“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 stated.

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet shared the belief that Benedict had left behind, as did many Vatican officials. “a great legacy” As a man both of God and culture.

“I believe this is also a task for the future, to deeply rethink the Christian faith in the face of the challenges of our time,” Ouellet spoke to Reuters.

(Reporting from Philip Pullella Editing done by Crispian Malmer and Frances Kerry