WCC NEWS: Preparing for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, WCC global fellowship shares prayers

As mourners across the world prepare for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on 5 January in St Peter’s Square, the WCC global fellowship shared prayers and expressed empathy for the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 04 January 2023 On 2 January, the body of the pope emeritus was transferred from the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to St Peter’s Basilica to begin the wake and allow thousands of pilgrims to say their last goodbyes. It is estimated that at least 65,000 people came to visit the pope emeritus on the first day of his wake.  Pope Francis will preside over the funeral, which will be attended by hundreds of church leaders.  Many other heads of state will come to pay respects and attend the funeral in an unofficial capacity.  The WCC will be represented by the central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. “With my presence at the funeral service for Pope Emeritus Benedict, I want to express my empathy to the Catholic world for the loss of a person who has been so important for the Roman Catholic Church worldwide,” said Bedford-Strohm. “I want to join the global church community in praying for Benedict that he may now see the eternal love and grace of God of which he has preached so many times.” WCC shares condolences with close colleagues of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (WCC news release, 03 January 2023) Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI leaves a legacy of ecumenical dialogue (WCC news release, 31 December 2022) The Ecumenical Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI (WCC feature, 31 December 2022) Vatican News See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland