As Vatican prepares to mourn Benedict, Pope marks new year

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – As thousands of faithful have come together to attend the Benedict`s funeral St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis marked the new year.

“Associated Press” reported the Pope emphasized on hope and peace while praying for Benedict.

He added: “Let us unite all together, with one heart and one soul, in giving thanks to God for the gift of this faithful servant of the Gospel and of the church.”

Francis, who has repeatedly decried the war in Ukraine and its devastation, recalled those who are victims of war, passing the year-end holidays in darkness, cold and fear.

“At the beginning of this year, we need hope, just as the Earth needs rain,” Francis said in his homily.

Francis also cited the “intolerable” war in Ukraine, which began in February of last year with Russia’s attacks and invasion, and in other places in the world.

Francis said, “let us not lose hope” that peace will prevail. “In the entire world, in all peoples, a cry is rising, ‘no to war, no to re-armament’ but (may) the resources go to development, health, food, education, work.”

Pope Francis prayed for his predecessor’s passage to heaven and again expressed thanks for a lifetime of service to the church, during New Year’s Day appearances a day after Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in retirement at the Vatican.

Benedict, 95, died Saturday morning in the Vatican monastery where he had lived since retirement. He was the first pope in centuries to resign, citing his increasing frailty.

“Today we entrust to our Blessed Mother our beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, so that she may accompany him in his passage from this world to God,” he said.

Later, Francis delivered more remarks about the retired pontiff when he offered New Year’s greetings to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square

Referring to Mary, Francis said that “in these hours, we invoke her intercession, in particular for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who, yesterday morning, left this world.”

The square will be the setting for Benedict’s funeral led by Francis on Thursday morning. That rite will be a simple one, the Vatican has said, in keeping with the wishes of Benedict, who for decades as a German cardinal had served as the Church’s guardian of doctrinal orthodoxy before he was elected pope in 2005.

In the last years, Francis has hailed Benedict’s stunning decision to become the first pope to resign in 600 years and has made clear he’d consider such a step as an option for himself.