House reso sends condolences to Pope Francis over Benedict’s death

The House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously voted to adopt a resolution conveying its condolences to Pope Francis over the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the former leader of the Catholic Church.

“…As a predominantly Catholic country, the Filipinos share in the sorrow of those grieving over the loss of an endeared man of faith, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and he will always be especially remembered as a Pope of Charity, a great theologian, catechist, and musician who gave hope to all those who know his life, his principles and his legacy,” House Resolution 688 read.

The resolution was introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe of Zamboanga city, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan of 4PS party-list, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos of Ilocos Norte and Tingog Party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

Born as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Bavaria, Germany, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican at the age of 95 on December 31, 2022.

At 24, Ratzinger was ordained a priest along with his brother Georg. As a young priest, he established himself as a highly regarded theologian and served as chief theological advisor to the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Josef Frings, during the Second Vatican Council.

He was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany by Pope Paul VI in March 1977, ordained bishop in May, and proclaimed cardinal in June of the same year.

The same Resolution noted that Ratzinger headed Vatican’s doctrinal office, known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for 25 years.

As Dean of the College of Cardinals, Ratzinger also presided over the deliberations during the vacancy of the Holy See following the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005.

He was elected Pope on April 19, 2005 at the age of 78, becoming the first German pope of the modern era—an election he later said felt "like the guillotine."

Benedict’s papacy lasted for eight years, which allowed him to appoint eight archbishops and 22 bishops in the Philippines.

Pope Benedict resigned on February 11, 201 due to his advanced age, making him the first pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415.

Following his resignation, he installed himself in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, where he devoted himself to a life of prayer and study, and chose the title, “Pope Emeritus.”

“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI worked with all his soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world, promoting peace and goodwill to all people,” the Resolution added.

A copy of the adopted resolution will be furnished to the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Manila. — BM, GMA Integrated News