King Mohammed VI Expresses Condolences to the Vatican Following Pope Benedict’s Death
The former Catholic pope, who had been battling ill health, was the first pope to leave in more than six centuries.
In response to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s passing, King Mohammed VI of Morocco wrote Pope Francis in the Vatican a letter of condolences on Saturday.
King Mohammed VI stated in the message that he “heard the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI with deep grief.”
The King also extended his “deep sympathies and profound thoughts of sorrow” in the letter to Pope Francis, Christian groups, and the Catholic church.
It was also revealed that former Pope Benedict XVI passed away at the age of 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican on the same day.
The former Catholic pope is the first in over six centuries to step down from his position. He had been struggling with poor health.
On December 28, Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray for his predecessor, saying that he was “very sick.”
The Vatican’s Press Director Matteo Bruni issued a statement announcing the news.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” the statement read.
Since departing as pope, Pope Benedict has resided at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. After making the “unorthodox” choice to resign from his post, he had pledged to remain “hidden.”