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As a mark of respect to Pope Emeritus Benedict who passed away earlier today the Newry Cathedral bell will toll at 12 noon and 3pm every day from now until the day of his funeral. The 95 year old passed away at 9:34am this morning at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.
Archbishop Eamon Martin has expressed his sadness at his death and spoke of his gentleness. Archbishop Martin said "I am saddened to hear of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. At this time of mourning in the Catholic Church throughout the world, we remember his gentle soul in prayer, asking God, in His great mercy, to forgive his sins and human failings, while rewarding his generous service and complete dedication to the Gospel and to the Church. On behalf of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, and the faithful across Ireland, I extend sympathy to Pope Francis, to the family members and carers of the Pope Emeritus, and to all those in his native Germany and around the globe who loved him and will mourn his loss."
The Archbishop added "it was his characteristic humility and gentleness which struck me when I first met him in 2009 while visiting the Vatican as Executive Secretary to the Irish Bishops’ Conference. I found him to be calm and softly spoken, kindly and personable, and genuinely interested in the Church in Ireland."
Pope Benedict resigned in 2013 leaving two living Popes in the Vatican. The move hadn't happened in nearly 600 years with the last pope resigning being Pope Gregory XII in 1415.
