Skip to content

Rome Diocese to offer Mass for Benedict XVI

The Diocese of Rome will offer a special Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. John Lateran on Friday afternoon.

The Mass was announced Dec. 29 by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, following a sudden turn in the 95-year-old pope emeritus’ health.

Pope Francis, at the end of his general audience on Dec. 28, asked for prayers for a “very ill” Benedict XVI, who, “in silence, is sustaining the Church.”

The Vatican confirmed later the same day that Benedict was under medical care following a decline in his health.

On Thursday, the Vatican gave a further update on Benedict XVI’s health.

“The Pope Emeritus was able to rest well last night; he is absolutely lucid and alert, and today, although his condition remains serious, the situation at the moment is stable,” Vatican Spokesman Matteo Bruni said Dec. 29.

In a statement Thursday morning, Vicar of Rome Cardinal De Donatis invited church communities in Rome “to join in prayer for Benedict XVI” in response to Pope Francis’ request.

“In the celebration of Holy Masses today and in the coming days, let us accompany our dear bishop emeritus in his moment of suffering and trial,” he said.

The Dec. 30 Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. by Cardinal De Donatis.

The Lateran basilica is Rome’s cathedral and the seat of the bishop of Rome, Pope Francis.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

UPDATE: Pope Francis hospitalized at Gemelli for bronchitis

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican said.

How Pope Francis spread devotion to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots

Of the many devotions Pope Francis promoted during his pontificate, perhaps none is better known than his devotion to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots (also referred to as Our Lady, Untier of Knots), whose feast day is observed Sept. 28.

Rome to host 7th Day of the Catacombs, opportunity to reflect on early Christians

Rome’s catacombs will open to the public for free guided tours and moments of prayer and reflection on

Why did Pope Francis not hold the General Audience this Wednesday?

The traditional General Audience on Wednesday did not take place on August 16, 2023, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: Discernment helps us find the gems among the junk

Pope Francis on Sunday encouraged Christians to learn how to seek and find the precious things in life,

How to visit the tomb of Benedict XVI

Benedict XVI was buried in the crypt under St. Peter’s Basilica after his funeral Mass on Jan. 5.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it