Pope Francis leads prayers to Benedict XVI as Catholics across the UK pray at services today

Catholics across the UK will attend services for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Sunday. pray after he died at the age of 95.

Pope Francis prayed for his late predecessor today at the Vatican at a mass that also marked the beginning of the New Year.

It comes after the Vatican announced that Benedict, the first pope to resign from his role in 600 years, died at 9.34am on Saturday at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican.

A number of world leaders honored his legacy, with King Charles expressing his “deep sadness” at Benedict’s death in a message to Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Justin Welby also paid tribute.

US President Joe Biden called Benedict an “inspiration to all” and “a distinguished theologian with a lifelong dedication to the Church, guided by its principles and faith.”

Pope Francis presides a Mass for the Solemnity of Saint Mary at the beginning of the New Year in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Sunday, January 1, 2023

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. at Munich Airport before his departure for Rome in 2020

A spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales confirmed that Catholics across the UK will pray for Benedict on Sunday.

Its General Secretary, Reverend Canon Chris Thomas, said: “We encourage Catholics in England and Wales to support Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. into their prayers.”

Benedict became the second pope in history to visit Britain in 2010, when he met the Queen and delivered a historic address at Westminster Hall.

His funeral will take place on Thursday at 8.30am UK time in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, presided over by Francis, who succeeded Benedict as pope in 2013.

From Monday his body will lie in St. Peter’s Basilica for the faithful to pay their respects to.

Pope Francis arrives to preach Mass for the Solemnity of St. to hold Mary

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate the World Day of Peace mass on January 1, 2023 in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

Queen Elizabeth II speaks with Pope Benedict XVI. and exchanges gifts during an audience in the Morning Drawing Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, September 2010

Former Pope Benedict, 95, looks on as he receives the winners of the “Premio Ratzinger” at the Vatican on December 1, 2022

On Saturday, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said he wanted the UK Catholic churches to “reflect the funeral mass” with their own ceremonies on Thursday.

Expressing consolation to British Catholics, he added: “We take strength and comfort from our faith when someone dies and when the Pope dies it’s the same story, it’s the same prayers.

“We commend her to God and we thank God for the great gifts of her life and especially his life.”

He added: “I was comforted by a comment I heard in Rome a few days ago where they put it quite nicely – they said ‘The angels are gathering, they’re coming to take him home’. ‘

In a statement, Charles paid tribute to Benedict and recalled his visit to the Vatican in 2009.

He said: “I fondly remember my meeting with His Holiness during my visit to the Vatican in 2009. His visit to the UK in 2010 was important in strengthening relations between the Holy See and the UK.

“I also remember his constant efforts to promote peace and goodwill for all people and to strengthen the relationship between the global Anglican communion and the Roman Catholic Church.”

Pope Francis sits as he prepares to lead the World Day of Peace service on January 1, 2023 in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. – Pope Francis will address the Catholic faithful in the Vatican on January 1, 2023. the day after the death of his predecessor Benedict XVI. at the age of 95

Pope Francis (right) holds hands with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he pays him a visit to the Vatican in November 2020

FILE – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presents a book containing documents issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith during a news conference at the Vatican December 12, 1985. Ratzinger later became Pope Benedict XVI

Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pope on April 19, 2005 at the age of 78 and chose the name Benedict.

He served until February 2013, before becoming the first pope to resign in 600 years, citing his old age and deteriorating health.

Mr. Welby praised Benedict as “one of the greatest theologians of his time”.

In a statement, he said Benedict was “committed to the faith of the Church and steadfast in its defense.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter: “I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

“He was a great theologian whose visit to Britain in 2010 was a historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics in our country.”

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “His state visit in 2010 was a historic and joyous moment for Catholics in Britain.”