Pope of Charity, great theologian: CBCP remembers Benedict XVI

(FILE) Pope Benedict XVI delivers a speech during his last weekly audience on February 27, 2013 at St Peter’s square at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will always be remembered as the Pope of Charity and as a great theologian of the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Saturday.

In a statement released shortly after Benedict XVI’s death was confirmed, CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo David said one of Benedict XVI’s initial teachings as pope is the encyclical Deus Caritas Est or God is Love.

“We will fondly remember him, especially those among us bishops, who had been appointed by him to the episcopal ministry. (It was Pope Benedict XVI who appointed me bishop in July 2006),” David said.

“If Pope Francis is known as the Pope of Mercy and Joy, Pope Benedict will be remembered as the Pope of Charity. He began his episcopacy with a profoundly theological encyclical entitled DEUS CARITAS EST (God is Love). Among the many charisms God had bestowed on him, he will be specially remembered as a great theologian, catechist, and musician,” he added.

A spokesperson from the Holy See confirmed on Saturday night (Manila time) that Benedict XVI passed away aged 95 at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, where he had lived since his resignation from the papacy in 2013.

Benedict, a German national whose real name was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, died days after incumbent Pope Francis called for prayers as the former pope’s condition deteriorated.

READ: Former Pope Benedict dies aged 95 

Benedict XVI is the first pope to resign from his post in over 600 years, as he believed he is no longer fit to serve the papacy.  He succeeded Pope John Paul II, the Polish pontiff who was the first non-Italian pope since the early 1500s.

Benedict XVI was the first German pope in at least 1,000 years.  After his resignation, a papal conclave was held where Pope Francis was chosen to succeed him.

Despite the two reported to have had good relations, Benedict XVI and Francis gave opposing views on key issues, with the former being a conservative and the incumbent described as more of a liberal.

READ: Former Pope Benedict was first pontiff to resign in 600 years

David urged Catholics to pray for the repose of the late pope.

“He spent the last years of his life as an emeritus pope in solitude and contemplation, supporting the universal Church and Pope Francis spiritually with his prayers. Let us commend him to the Lord and pray for his eternal repose,” he said.

/MUF