NIGERIA COMMISERATES WITH THE HOLY SEE OVER THE PASSING OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI, POPE EMERITUS

Oru Leonard

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commiserated with The Holy See and the global Catholic community on the passing of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, on Saturday, 31st December, 2022.

A statement made available to News Dot Africa by the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry read in part, “The late Supreme Pontiff Emeritus was a great scholar and a renowned theologian, who contributed greatly to advancing the Catholic faith. He was greatly admired for his humility, nobility, modesty, and courage.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Recall that Former Pope Benedict XVI was pronounced dead, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.

According to the Catholic News Agency, he led the Catholic Church for about eight years in 2013 when he resigned and became the first Pope to do so in 600 years after Gregory XII in 1415.

Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican where he passed away at 09:34 (08:34 GMT) on Saturday, 31st December, 2022.

His successor Pope Francis will lead the funeral on 5 January.

Photo Credit: Catholic News Agency