Acting President General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga on Thursday, 5 January, signed a book of condolence at the Vatican embassy in Harare for the late former Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The former head of the Roman Catholic Church died on 31 December 2022 aged 95 years.
Speaking after signing the book of condolences, Chiwenga said the late Pope Benedict will be remembered for his love for humanity. Chiwenga said:
<blockquote>
Pope Benedict was known mainly for his two cardinal principles, peace and love for humanity and so we are motivated by that.
I think the rest of what he has done from when he went into the priesthood in Germany, his missionary work right up to when he ended up in Rome at the Vatican and eventually becoming the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, is well documented and we thank God that he has been given that life up to the age of 95. So it is a long life and we celebrate it.
</blockquote>
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger of German parents, Pope Benedict passed away almost a decade after he stood down in 2013 because of failing health.
He became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415. He had reigned for almost eight years.
He spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican where he passed away.
His body has been lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica where he was set to be buried on Thursday. | <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2023/01/05/acting-president-chiwenga-consoles-catholic-church/">New Ziana</a>

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Chiwenga Consoles Roman Catholic Church

Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health, according to the Vatican. The Vatican said in a statement:
<blockquote>
With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
Further information will be provided as soon as possible.
</blockquote>
His death on Saturday came days after his successor <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/former-pontiff-benedict-xvi-is-very-ill-pope-francis/">Pope Francis had asked for prayers for his predecessor, saying he was “very sick”.</a>
He died in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery which he had chosen as his residence after resigning in 2013, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/31/pope-emeritus-benedict-xvi-dies-at-age-95">Al Jazeera</a> reported citing the Holy See Press Office.
He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.
His successor Pope Francis said he had visited him there frequently.
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