Mass for Pope Benedict XVI at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral
Posted January 8, 2023 3:32 pm.
Last Updated January 9, 2023 11:17 pm.
A mass celebrating the life of Pope Benedict XVI is taking place in Montreal Monday.
Montrealers are gathering at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral at 7:30 p.m. to take part in the Eucharistic celebration.
Archbishop of Montreal, Christian Lépine, inside Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.(Photo credit: Felisha Adam)
“People can pray where they are at home. They can join here at the mass, they can pray online,” says Montreal archbishop Christian Lépine, who presided over the mass, “it’s to give them the opportunity to pray together,” Lépine added.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was an outstanding figure for the Catholic Church,” Lépine said in a statement. “He was an expert theologian and a good shepherd who was always simple, open and caring.
Chantal sits and prays inside Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.(Photo credit: Felisha Adam)
“He was a great witness for this Church, whose work is to proclaim Jesus Christ and maintain a dialogue with the contemporary world.”
The mass will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Montreal’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
WATCH: Funeral and burial held for former Pope Benedict
Benedict had lived since 2013 as pope emeritus, following his retirement from the papacy, the first pontiff to do so in 600 years.
He died on Dec. 31 at the age of 95, in the Vatican monastery where he spent his last years.
The pontiff was buried on Jan. 5 immediately following a funeral in St. Peter’s Square. Benedict’s tomb lies in the grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica.
Those in attendance at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral for a mass held in memory of Pope Benedict the 16th. (Photo credit: Felisha Adam)
“Pope Benedict has been important for many people, he was the Pope for eight years and the Pope Emeritus for nearly ten years, but many people have fond memories of him,” says Lépine.
For Chantal, on of the Montrealers in attendance the mass and important one to attend, “I’m happy because he stayed for a long time, until he was 95, and I think it was time for him to go and continue to pray to serve God in heaven. So I’m very happy that he’s resting.”
—With files from The Associated Press.
