VATICAN CITY, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Pope Francis described former Pope Benedict XVI as a kind gentleman who was a gift to the Church and the world, in his first public comment on his predecessor’s death on Saturday.
Pope Francis’ intervention took place during the homily on the thanksgiving prayer scheduled in advance for New Year’s Eve in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis said: “We remember her noble and most kind person with affection. And we feel gratitude in our hearts… gratitude to God for having given her to the Church and to the world”.
The former Pope Benedict XVI died on Saturday in Vatican City at the age of 95 after his health suddenly deteriorated over Christmas.
Pope Benedict held the position between 2005 and 2013, when he became the first Vatican pope to step down in 600 years.
