Former Pope Benedict XVI Dies at 95

Just one day before the new year, Former Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery. 

Aged 95, Pope XVI lived relatively quietly after his historical resignation as supreme pontiff on Feb. 11, 2013. He was the first to resign from the papacy in over six hundred years, citing deteriorating health. In Benedict’s last address as pope, he said, “I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.” 

Benedict was kept in St. Peter’s Square for three days of public mourning. Some 40,000 people flooded to pay respects during the designated three days of mourning, but Benedict’s scandals have resurfaced amidst waves of sympathetic messages and prayers. Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School sophomore Justin Kim said, “It’s quite sad even if I don’t keep up with the church. The death of a public figure is always impactful, even if we don’t really know them.” 

On Jan. 5, Pope Francis laid Benedict to rest in a crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica (a cathedral) in the Vatican City.

Many had accused Benedict of mishandling and overlooking multiple abuse cases, especially when he was an archbishop in Munich, Germany. He later admitted to the “grievous faults” in not further penalizing his fellow clergymen, but victims’ groups have continued to press the International Criminal Court to prosecute the former pope. The Catholic Church has had an extensive history of covering up the misdeeds of its priests. 

Benedict’s tenure has been further scrutinized by the 2012 Vatican Leaks Scandal, abbreviated as the Vati-Leaks. Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi’s His Holiness: The Secret Papers of Benedict XVI exposed multiple private letters between Pope Benedict and his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gaenswein. The letters detailed factional fighting, turf politics, and other Vatican secrets unknown to the common devotee.

Georg Gaenswein himself has written an anticipated autobiography called Nothing but the Truth: My Life Beside Pope Benedict XVI. The memoir will detail “dark maneuvers” and mysteries surrounding Benedict, which his secretary supposedly witnessed. Gaenswein’s book will be released later in January.

Regardless of a thoroughly sullied reputation, world leaders and civilians see former Pope XVI’s death as a solemn occasion. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres claimed Benedict was “principled in his faith, tireless in his pursuit of peace, and determined in his defense of human rights.” 

Britain’s King Charles II also offered his condolences, having met with Benedict in a 2009 visit to the Vatican. “I also recall his constant efforts to promote peace and goodwill to all people and to strengthen the relationship between the global Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church,” he said. 

Benedict’s historic resignation will always be the most identifiable aspect of his legacy, but many Catholics continue to recognize his efforts to renew liturgical traditions and restore Catholic rituals. His many theological writings have become essential for those looking to become priests or clergypersons, and his succession by Pope Francis has also changed the Vatican scene immensely. Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School sophomore Elena Kim says, “Things always change when someone dies, whether they’re famous or not. I’m glad that people were able to learn lessons from his time as pope.”

Written by Allison Zhang of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Photo courtesy of Quirinale