Following the death of former Pope Benedict XVI early Saturday, tributes have begun pouring in from around the world, with many expressing their condolences and sharing about Benedict's impact on the Catholic Church.
In an email early Saturday, the Archdiocese of Chicago shared an undated photo of Cupich, Pope Francis, former Pope Benedict and Archbishop Georg Gänswein, personal secretary of former Pope Benedict.
The Archdiocese released the following statement attributed to Cupich:
"Today we join Pope Francis and Catholics across the world in mourning the death of Pope Benedict XVI who has gone home to the God he served faithfully."
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Throughout his life as a scholar and as a churchman, he showed us what it means to fulfill the ancient command to love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. As the last pope who attended the Second Vatican Council, he has served as a bridge to the future, reminding us all that the reform and renewal of the Church is ongoing. Resigning in 2013, the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI taught us that belief in God means completely placing our trust in Divine Providence. Today we pray as Pope Francis did earlier this year, “May St. Joseph help us to live the mystery of death in the best possible way. For a Christian, the good death is an experience of the mercy of God, who comes close to us even in that last moment of our life.”
Lord, let your perpetual light shine on your servant Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, and may he rest in peace."
Bishop Ronald Hicks, of the Diocese of Joliet, released a statement saying, "I pray for the soul of Pope Benedict XVI, who today joined our Lord in eternal life. He served God as a priest, archbishop, cardinal and pope, and enlightened Catholics worldwide with his thoughtful theological writings. May he rest in peace."
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Bishop Robert McClory, who oversees the Diocese of Gary in northwest Indiana, in part, asked the faithful to join him "in praying for the repose of the soul of the pope emeritus, who was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ."
The first pontiff to retire in 600 years, Ratzinger became a priest in 1951, was elevated to cardinal in 1977 then became pope in 2005.
"He was an individual who was known worldwide as a first-class theologian even before he became a bishop,” Cupich said.
Michael Murphy, a professor of theology and director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage
at Loyola University, said Benedict was very traditionalist, especially with below-the-belt issues, but surprisingly liberal on economic justice and climate change.
As a conservative, Benedict denounced same-sex marriage however Murphy noted, "This is a unique churchman and did way more good than harm.”
Benedict was also remembered for how he handled the priest sex abuse crisis.
“On the one hand he could be a part of the Vatican machine that covers things up and the damage is incalculable, on the other he can be a force for remedy and mercy as some of his papal letters will show you,” Murphy said.
The Archdiocese of Chicago is planning a mass in honor of Benedict 8 a.m. Monday at Holy Name Cathedral.
