The “Catholic in China” website, sponsored by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Chinese Catholic Bishops’ Conference, published a short message on Jan. 1, mourning the death of former Roman Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI. The release shows that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was called by the Lord at 9:34 am on December 31, 2022 (4:34 pm Beijing time) to the Abbey of the Mother of the Church in the Vatican, at the age of 95. Please pray together, thanks to God’s mercy, ask God to grant Pope Benedict XVI eternal blessings in heaven.
As the Vatican maintains official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China government in Taiwan, Chinese diplomatic and administrative departments have so far not commented on the death of Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis is expected to hold a funeral for Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, a Vatican spokesman confirmed.
Taiwan’s Central News Agency quoted Presidential Office spokesman Zhang Dunhan as saying that President Tsai Ing-wen expressed sincere and deep condolences on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and specially named the former vice president Chen Chien-jen as special envoy to represent Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Funeral of the VI.
Zhang Dunhan said that President Tsai Ing-wen expressed gratitude to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI for his close and friendly interactions with Taiwan, the Republic of China during his reign. In particular, his proposals and appeals for the concept of global peace have influenced human civilization around the world. Taiwan will continue to deepen its cooperation with the Holy See and the Catholic Church in the field of humanitarian assistance, and will continue to deepen its deep friendship with the Vatican.
Publisher: He Ping
