Pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday, is pictured with Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh in a private audience. Submitted Photo
Bishop David Zubik, of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, said Pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday, Dec. 31, at age 95, taught Catholic leaders much during his papacy from 2005 to 2013, but the most enduring lessons were humility and fraternity.
Zubik issued a statement Saturday regarding the death of the retired pope, who Vatican officials warned had been in extremely ill health for several days.
Zubik spoke of Benedict’s historic decision to resign the papacy in 2005 due to his failing health.
He said Benedict stepped down because he could not fulfill his duties to the best of his ability, which typified the Pope’s “love for our Lord and the Church.”
“The way that he has lived quietly, in a brotherly friendship with his successor, Pope Francis, is a model for all Catholics to follow as we continue to journey together in service to Jesus and his Church,” Zubik said.
He said that long before Benedict was anointed as Holy Father, he served as a periti of the second Vatican Council, or an adviser to the bishops and other church officials gathered for the council.
“During that time, he earned the admiration of many for both his theological clarity and his humility,” Zubik said.
Zubik recalled his own coincidental presence in Vatican Square when the white smoke rose to announce to the world that Benedict would be Pope.
“Two years later, he gave me the greatest honor and responsibility of my life, when he appointed me bishop of my hometown diocese,” Zubik said.
As Zubik recalled the leadership of Benedict, he asked the faithful of the diocese to pray for his eternal rest, especially as Catholics gather at Mass in their parishes in the upcoming week.
Zubik will celebrate a Mass for Pope Benedict at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh, on the same day the Pope will be laid to rest in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
