Jerusalem Catholics mourn the departure of Pope Benedict XVI

Church bells rang this Sunday in the Old City of Jerusalemwhere the Catholic faithful mourned the death of the pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

In front of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, built according to the Christian tradition in the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, Matteo Sasanoa 33-year-old Italian seminarian, said he had prayed for the memory of the late pope, who died on Saturday at the age of 95.

LOOK HERE: Benedict XVI, with pontifical chasuble and without pallium in the first photographs after his death

“He was a great Pope (…) and a great companion of Pope Francishe said, referring to Benedict XVI, who announced he was leaving his post in 2013 due to declining forces.

In this file photo taken on May 15, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of the Stone of Anointing in the Old City of Jerusalem. (Photo by YANNIS BEHRAKIS / POOL / AFP) (YANNIS BEHRAKIS /)

After his death, the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballasummoned all the priests to celebrate a mass in memory of Benedict XVI.

“[Pedimos] to all the churches and monasteries that ring the bells, as is our tradition. We also ask all priests to celebrate a Holy Mass for the repose of his soul. May the Lord grant you eternal rest”, said the Latino patriarch.

The Holy Land and Jerusalem welcome thousands of Catholic pilgrims every year.

For Veronica Orzeleka 23-year-old Pole, the German pope emeritus was “an emblematic figure” in Poland.

Was a “Peaceful man”, declared Don Faller, a 65-year-old American, told AFP. However, he admitted to beingmore or less agree” with the traditionalist approach of Benedict XVI, which had led to criticism from within the Church.

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Benedict XVI was, according to him, “in the continuity of old-fashioned Catholicism, that is, very conservative”.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuaffirmed on Saturday that Benedict XVI was “a true friend of the state of israel and the jewish people”.

The Palestinian President, mahmud abaspraised for his part a man who “supported the freedom and independence of the Palestinian people”.

Source: Elcomercio