Archdiocese of San Francisco
At this moment, at this time, in this place, to my right is an image of a person who can help us journey to that place of inner reflection. Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who died yesterday, as we all know. Pope Francis, on the day that he died, spoke of him with two words, noble and kind. He said he was a truly noble and a truly kind man, and those words pierced my heart when I first heard them.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
The passing of Pope Benedict XVI marks the loss of one of the world’s greatest theologians and pastors of souls of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Many generations to come will benefit from the breadth and depth of his understanding of our faith tradition and ability to communicate it clearly and effectively, and for those of us who have had the great blessing of interacting with him on a personal level, we will always be inspired by his gentleness, kindness, wit and ability to listen with respect and compassion. Thank you, God, for Pope Benedict XVI. May he rest in peace.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
The passing of Pope Benedict XVI marks the loss of one of the world’s greatest theologians and pastors of souls of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Many generations to come will benefit from the breadth and depth of his understanding of our faith tradition and ability to communicate it clearly and effectively, and for those of us who have had the great blessing of interacting with him on a personal level, we will always be inspired by his gentleness, kindness, wit and ability to listen with respect and compassion. Thank you, God, for Pope Benedict XVI. May he rest in peace.