# Death of former Pope Benedict overshadows New Year at Vatican Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2023-01-02 Category: NEWS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news Meta Title: Vatican City: Pope Francis marks World Day of Peace despite Meta Description: Pope Francis presides over Mass in St. Peter's Basilica as the late Benedict's body is prepared for public viewing. Vatican releases first images of URL: https://financedigest.com/death-of-former-pope-benedict-overshadows-new-year-at-vaticanhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2023-01-01t121518z1lynxmpej000cfrtroptp4pope-benedict-1736814651985-compressed.jpg) By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -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](https://www.financedigest.com/soccer-former-star-italy-striker-vialli-dies-aged-58.html "Soccer-Former star Italy striker Vialli dies aged 58") of 95, was being prepared for three days of public viewing in the same church starting Monday. On Sunday the Vatican released the first images of the late Benedict, showing him dressed in red and gold liturgical vestments and laying in state in the chapel of the monastery where he died. His body will be moved privately to the basilica, unlike what followed the death in 2005 of Pope John Paul, whose body was moved in a solemn outdoor procession that was televised [live around the world](https://www.financedigest.com/cheapest-countries-to-live-in-the-world.html "Cheapest countries to live in the world"). In accordance with Benedict’s wishes, his funeral on Thursday will be simple and solemn. It will be the first time in many centuries that a sitting pope will preside at the funeral of his predecessor. Benedict, who stepped down in 2013, had been the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. Jan. 1 is also the feast of the Mother of God and in his homily, [Francis asked the Madonna to accompany “our beloved” Pope](https://www.financedigest.com/pope-francis-says-hes-deeply-saddened-over-death-of-queen-elizabeth.html "Pope Francis says he’s deeply saddened over death of Queen Elizabeth") Emeritus Benedict “on his passage from this world to God. Benedict was also remembered in one of the prayers at the Mass. In his homily, Francis urged his listeners to work actively for peace, and not [“waste time](https://www.financedigest.com/office-workers-waste-more-time-on-slow-tech-than-they-spend-on-holiday.html "Office Workers Waste More Time on Slow Tech Than They Spend on Holiday") 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” with the [theme of the day](https://www.financedigest.com/explainer-international-womens-day-date-history-and-this-years-theme.html "Explainer-International Women’s Day: date, history and this year’s theme"). PRAISE, BUT ALSO CRITICISM FOR BENEDICT On Saturday night the Vatican released Benedict’s two-page “spiritual testimony” written in 2006, a year after his election as pope. There was no explanation why Benedict did not update it as he became older and more frail. In it, he asked in a general, spiritual way, that God would welcome him to internal life “despite all my sins and insufficiencies”. Francis on Saturday called Benedict a noble, kind man who was a gift to the Church and the world. While tributes to the former pope continued to be made by [world leaders](https://www.financedigest.com/world-leaders-to-attend-queen-elizabeths-funeral.html "World leaders to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral"), and conservative members of the faithful, others were highly critical of his pontificate. Some recalled the severe discipline he meted out to progressive theologians, particularly in [Latin America](https://www.financedigest.com/new-office-expansion-enables-vaisala-to-accelerate-growth-in-industrial-and-environmental-measurements-businesses-professional-services-and-customer-support-the-new-office-will-cater-for-all-vaisala.html "New office expansion enables Vaisala to accelerate growth in industrial and environmental measurements businesses, professional services and customer support. The new office will cater for all Vaisala’s customers in the Latin America region."), when he was head of the Vatican’s doctrinal department under Pope John Paul II. Those actions prompted liberal Catholics to dub then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger “God’s Rottweiler”. And while some have credited Benedict with taking important steps to formalise the Vatican’s response to clergy sexual abuse, victims [groups accused him of protecting the institution at all costs](https://www.financedigest.com/mitchells-butlers-pub-group-says-costs-start-to-ease.html "Mitchells & Butlers pub group says costs start to ease"). 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](https://www.financedigest.com/mazars-to-acquire-financial-modelling-consultancy-and-training-provider-corality-financial-group.html "Mazars to acquire financial modelling consultancy and training provider, Corality Financial Group") SNAP said. Like many Vatican [officials who worked](https://www.financedigest.com/eu-us-working-on-deal-to-make-ev-minerals-eligible-for-tax-credits-eu-official.html "EU, US working on deal to make EV minerals eligible for tax credits -EU official") with Benedict, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet said he believed the German pontiff had left behind “a great legacy” as a man of God and a man of culture. I believe this is also a task for the future, to deeply rethink the Christian faith in the [face of the challenges](https://www.financedigest.com/global-economy-seen-facing-a-challenging-year-eurochambres.html "Global economy seen facing a challenging year -Eurochambres") of our time,” Ouellet told Reuters. (Reporting by Philip PullellaEditing by Crispian Balmer and Frances Kerry) --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---