Amarillo Catholic Diocese invites community to repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI in Mass

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is inviting the community to their Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The Mass will be offered Monday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington.

This Mass comes after the passing of Benedict XVI, the 265^th pope, on Dec. 31 at the age of 95. The retired pope's passing occurred just 10 years after his retirement. He was the first pope to resign from the position in 600 years.

“The secular press knew him as the pope who retired. I knew him in a different way. ... Pope Benedict XVI and I had a very warm and personal conversation at the Vatican," said Bishop Patrick J. Zurek of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo in a news release. "We had so much in common. I was amazed. Considering the place of origin of our families and their names, he even thought we could be related."

According to the Vatican press office, the funeral and moments of prayer surrounding the death of Pope Benedict XVI were simple in accordance with the retired pope's wishes.

Following his passing, the pope’s body stayed at his private residence where he passed away until early Monday, during which time no official visits or public prayers were held. As stated by the Vatican, the pope's remains were then brought to St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing for the public to pay their last respects until Wednesday, Jan. 4.

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 5 starting at 9:30 a.m. Rome time (2:30 a.m. Amarillo time), the funeral Mass, presided over by Pope Francis, will be in St. Peter’s Square. After the funeral Mass, the coffin will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Vatican grotto for burial.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo will then host their event following the Vatican in respect. As a part of the event, Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will preside, with priests of the Diocese of Amarillo concelebrating.

In a release by the Diocese of Amarillo, Bishop Zurek spoke about his interactions with the former pope before his passing and how he came to know him over the years as both a brilliant theologian and also "a very warm, jovial and kind man." Zurek said Benedict worked at the Vatican as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and his apartment was a distance from his office, so he had to walk across St. Peter’s Square to return to his home.

Zurek described how he met Benedict a few times at the obelisk: “Sometimes we only acknowledged each other. Sometimes I saw him speaking with others (tourists). He would visit with them, pose for pictures with them and bless them and their children. He would also be humorous with them and answer any questions they might have. He was a true renaissance man. He also played the piano quite well. Finally, he was a Holy Man that truly loved humanity, the Church, its teachings and insights. I will always remember his beautiful smile. I will miss him dearly! May he rest in peace!”

The Amarillo Mass is free and open to the public for all who wish to put to rest the soul of Pope Benedict XVI. for more information, visit the Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo online at https://www.amarillodiocese.org/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Catholic Diocese to hold Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI