CHICAG0 (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, released a statement Saturday morning regarding the death of Pope Benedict, saying that he joins Pope Francis and other Catholics across the world in mourning Benedict.
"Throughout his life as a scholar and as a churchman, he showed us what it means to fulfill the ancient command to love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind," he said.
"As the last pope who attended the Second Vatican Council, he has served as a bridge to the future, reminding us all that the reform and renewal of the Church is ongoing."
The Vatican said Benedict will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, according to the Associated Press. He retired in 2013 and was 95 years old.
"Today we pray as Pope Francis did earlier this year, 'May St. Joseph help us to live the mystery of death in the best possible way," Cupich said.
"For a Christian, the good death is an experience of the mercy of God, who comes close to us even in that last moment of our life.”
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