Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 95, the first pope to resign from the position in nearly six centuries, passed away during the morning hours of Dec. 31, according to the Vatican.
Born Joseph Ratzinger in Marktl am Inn, Germany, on April 16, 1927, the former pope was elected as pope at age 78 in 2005 and he left the position in 2013. Here are responses from Catholic archdioceses across the U.S. to his passing.
New Orleans, La.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and May perpetual light shine upon him,” said the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Chicago, Ill.
“Today we join Pope Francis and Catholics across the world in mourning the death of Pope Benedict XVI who has gone home to the God he served faithfully,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “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.”
Boston, Mass.
His life and his pontificate were based in a deep and abiding faith and an extraordinary record of theological scholarship,” said Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston. “In the years leading to the Second Vatican Council and at the Council itself, Father Joseph Ratzinger made substantial contributions to the renewal of Catholic theology, and he played a significant role in the drafting of key conciliar documents.”
Phoenix, Ariz.
"When God wants, He will approach this brother of ours in the sleep of death and will say to him: ‘Joseph, get up; Joseph, rise again’. And it will be Christ and His Mother who will take him with them and lead him to Paradise, where the dream of a life will become the reality of eternity,” said Cardinal De Donatis of the Diocese of Phoenix.
Los Angeles, Calif.
“Let perpetual light shine upon him,” said the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
New York, N.Y.
“The human family grieves the passing of this erudite, wise, and holy man, who spoke the truth with love,” said a statement from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York.
Houston, Texas
“It is with deep sadness and hope in the Resurrection that we mourn the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” said the Archdiocese of Houston. “From 2005 to 2013, the late Holy Father shepherded the Church with great love. His keen intellect invigorated the New Evangelization by drawing hearts and minds into the mystery of our redemption in Christ, and inspiring countless men and women to spread the Gospel by the example of their lives.”
Dallas, Texas
“With the news of the passing of Pope Benedict XVI into eternal life, we the faithful of the Diocese of Dallas joining Pope Francis and the universal Church offer prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of his life, his Petrine ministry, and his care for the souls of this universal Church and the world,” said Bishop Edward J. Burns Diocese of Dallas. “Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI appointed me as the Bishop of Juneau, Alaska in 2009. I will forever be grateful for his paternal love and kindness and will always consider him one of the great thinkers and shepherds in the history of the Catholic Church.”
Pittsburgh, Pa.
“Pope Benedict taught us much during his papacy, but the most enduring lessons may be of humility and fraternity. His historic decision to resign when he could no longer fulfill his duties to the best of his ability demonstrates his love for our Lord and our Church,” Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh said.
Philadelphia, Pa.
“Along with the people of the Church of Philadelphia and the entire Universal Church, I was deeply saddened to learn of the death Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI this morning,” said Archbishop Nelson Perez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” said the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.
San Francisco, Calif.
“The passing of Pope Benedict XVI marks the loss of one of the world’s greatest theologians and pastors of souls of the 20th and early 21st centuries,” said San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.
St. Louis, Mo.
“During his time in the Vatican, His Holiness confronted increasing secularism around the world, a struggle that continues today,” said Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. “As we reflect on his life during this blessed Christmas season, I pray that we may all be guided by his example and walk closer to Christ in our own lives.”
Detroit, Mich.
“With the news today that Pope Emeritus Benedict has passed from this world to the Heavenly Father, I renew my gratitude to God for the great gift of his service to the Church. While his many gifts have long been evident – his penetrating intellect, his piety, his courage – what most resonates with me now is his profound humility and the gentleness with which he exercised his ministry,” said Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
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