Manila Cathedral to hold Requiem Mass for former Pope Benedict XVI on January 6

The Manila Cathedral will hold a Requiem Mass for former Pope Benedict XVI on January 6.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula and Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Reverend Charles Brown will lead the Eucharistic Celebration at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Manila Metropolitan Cathedral at 5 p.m., according to an advisory from the cathedral.

"Everyone is invited to join us in thanking the Lord for his life and ministry through the Holy Eucharist," the cathedral said.

Benedict XVI died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced on December 31, almost a decade after he became the first pope to resign in six centuries.

The German pope emeritus, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, had been living a quiet life in a former convent inside the Vatican grounds since his shock decision to step down in February 2013.

His health had been declining for a long time, but the Vatican revealed on Wednesday that his situation had worsened, while Pope Francis called for Catholics worldwide to pray for him.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) praised Benedict XVI, saying he will be remembered as the "pope of charity."

CBCP president Pablo Virgilio David described the former pope as "a great theologian, catechist, and musician."

The funeral will be held on January 5. —Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA Integrated News