Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Francis calls Benedict XVI noble, kind man who was gift to the world

Reuters

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Pope Francis calls Benedict XVI noble, kind man who was gift to the world

TWO POPES. Pope Francis (L) embraces Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he arrives at the Castel Gandolfo summer residence March 23, 2013.

Osservatore Romano/REUTERS

'We feel in our heart such gratitude, gratitude to God for having gifted him to the church and the world,' Francis said

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, in his first public comments since the death of his predecessor earlier on Saturday, called former pope Benedict XVI a noble, kind man who was a gift to the church and the world.

Pope Francis calls Benedict XVI noble, kind man who was gift to the world

Francis spoke in the homily of a previously planned new year’s eve vespers of thanksgiving in St. Peter’s basilica.

“It is with emotion that we remember his person, so noble, so kind. And we feel in our heart such gratitude, gratitude to God for having gifted him to the church and the world,” Francis said.

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Former pope Benedict XVI was first pontiff to resign in 600 years

Former pope Benedict XVI was first pontiff to resign in 600 years

Benedict, 95, died on Saturday morning, December 31, in the Vatican after his health suddenly deteriorated over Christmas. He was pope between 2005 and 2013, when he became the first pope in 600 years to step down instead of ruling for life. – Rappler.com

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