Catholics worldwide are mourning the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict the XVI in Vatican City over the weekend.
The predecessor to Pope Francis served the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 until 2013 when he retired.
Benedict was 95 at the time of his death.
Green Bay Bishop David Ricken issued a message Saturday saying in part,
“Pope Benedict has been called from this life to eternal life, and we begin a period of mourning and gratitude. There will be special Masses and prayers offered throughout the next days for the repose of his soul and in gratitude for his long service to God and the Catholic Church as a priest, theologian, bishop, cardinal and the successor to Peter as pope. He spoke and write with great simplicity and depth, and much of his life’s effort was spent in helping people understand how much they are known and loved by God and how much Jesus needs to be the center of our lives.”
Public viewing for the late pontiff is continuing today and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
