Admin l Saturday, December 31, 2022
BAVARIA – The birthplace of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus in Marktl am Inn in Bavaria, opened its doors on Saturday to mark his death. He was 95.
The birth place opened for tribute just as the United States has describes him as a holy man, witness to faith, and once Shepherd of the Catholic faithful.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a dedicated leader and was committed to interfaith dialogue. He was an advocate for vulnerable persons, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and migrants.
“He supported international legal measures to defend them. He was a renowned theologian within the Catholic Church for decades. We offer our deepest condolences to the Catholic faithful around the world, the Holy See, and all those whose lives were enriched by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s spiritual guidance”, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said in a statement.
The house in Bavaria which serves as a small museum about the life of the late German pope, is usually closed during the winter, but will be open Saturday and Sunday exceptionally.
In the room where Joseph Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927, candles were burning and a white rose stood on a black cloth. A book of condolences was displayed in the foyer.
People lit candles on the town’s market square, reported Franz Haringer, the theological director of Benedict XVI’s birthplace.
“What I remember most is his ability to express faith in simple and clear words – and also his life theme: faith and thinking, faith and reason: as a follower of religion, I don’t have to switch off my thinking,” Haringer said.
