VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis marked the Roman Catholic Church's traditional World Day of Peace on Sunday but the start of the new year at the Vatican was overshadowed by the death of his predecessor, Benedict.
Francis presided at a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica as the body of Benedict, who died on Saturday at the age of 95, was being prepared for three days of public viewing in the same church starting Monday.
On Sunday the Vatican released the first images of the late Benedict, showing him dressed in red and gold liturgical vestments and laying in state in the chapel of the monastery where he died.
His body will be moved privately to the basilica, unlike what followed the death in 2005 of Pope John Paul, whose body was moved in a solemn outdoor procession that was televised live around the world.
In accordance with Benedict's wishes, his funeral on Thursday will be simple and solemn. It will be the first time in many centuries that a sitting pope will preside at the funeral of his predecessor. Benedict, who stepped down in 2013, had been the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.
Jan. 1 is also the feast of the Mother of God and in his homily, Francis asked the Madonna to accompany "our beloved" Pope Emeritus Benedict "on his passage from this world to God".
Benedict was also remembered in one of the prayers at the Mass.
In his homily, Francis urged his listeners to work actively for peace, and not "waste time glued to a keyboard in front of a computer screen" but to "dirty our hands and to do some good".
Later at his Sunday blessing in St. Peter's Square, Francis made another appeal for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, saying it was "intolerable contrast" with the theme of the day.
PRAISE, BUT ALSO CRITICISM FOR BENEDICT
On Saturday night the Vatican released Benedict's two-page "spiritual testimony" written in 2006, a year after his election as pope. There was no explanation why Benedict did not update it as he became older and more frail.
In it, he asked in a general, spiritual way, that God would welcome him to internal life "despite all my sins and insufficiencies".
Francis on Saturday called Benedict a noble, kind man who was a gift to the Church and the world.
While tributes to the former pope continued to be made by world leaders, and conservative members of the faithful, others were highly critical of his pontificate.
Some recalled the severe discipline he meted out to progressive theologians, particularly in Latin America, when he was head of the Vatican's doctrinal department under Pope John Paul II. Those actions prompted liberal Catholics to dub then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger "God's Rottweiler".
And while some have credited Benedict with taking important steps to formalise the Vatican's response to clergy sexual abuse, victims groups accused him of protecting the institution at all costs.
"In our view, the death of Pope Benedict XVI is a reminder that, much like John Paul II, Benedict was more concerned about the Church’s deteriorating image and financial flow to the hierarchy versus grasping the concept of true apologies followed by true amends to victims of abuse," the anti-abuse group SNAP said.
Like many Vatican officials who worked with Benedict, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet said he believed the German pontiff had left behind "a great legacy" as a man of God and a man of culture.
"I believe this is also a task for the future, to deeply rethink the Christian faith in the face of the challenges of our time," Ouellet told Reuters.
Reuters
Mon Jan 02 2023
![Death of former Pope Benedict overshadows New Year at Vatican Death of former Pope Benedict overshadows New Year at Vatican](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/71672620823_VATICAN.jpg)
The body of former Pope Benedict is displayed at the Vatican, January 1, 2023. - Vatican Media/via REUTERS
![Lelaki tolak isteri jatuh gaung didakwa esok Lelaki tolak isteri jatuh gaung didakwa esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723693423_TBTOLAKISTERI.jpg)
Lelaki tolak isteri jatuh gaung didakwa esok
Suspek kes pukul dan tolak isteri ke dalam gaung di Kilometer 31.2 Jalan Raya Timur Barat (JRTB) Gerik-Jeli dekat Gerik, Julai lalu akan didakwa di mahkamah pada Jumaat.
![KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/71682503318_PEMANTAUANUDARAAPM.jpg)
KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi
Prestasi paling penting ialah peningkatan perbelanjaan isi rumah, disebabkan oleh keyakinan isi rumah yang semakin baik.
![Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723691432_NidzaAfham.jpg)
Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam
Solat jenazah akan diadakan di Masjid Puncak Alam sebelum dikebumikan di Tapak Perkuburan Felda Bukit Cherakah selepas solat Zohor hari ini.
![Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723690075_ibumeninggalduni.jpg)
Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia
Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada usia 74 tahun di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar.
![Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688922_bolatamparsukma.jpg)
Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla
Pasukan bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang di Pantai Samila, Songkhla selama lima hari sebagai persediaan menggalas cabaran membawa pulang pingat pada SUKMA 2024.
![Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688542_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
![MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723687760_AedyFadlyRamli.jpg)
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?
![Perang Palestin-Israel: Penyelesaian dua negara diperlukan - Pope Francis Perang Palestin-Israel: Penyelesaian dua negara diperlukan - Pope Francis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2017-05/61494728184_PopeFrancis.jpg)
Perang Palestin-Israel: Penyelesaian dua negara diperlukan - Pope Francis
Kembali kepada Perjanjian Oslo untuk menentukan kedudukan Palestin dan Israel, cadang Pope Francis.
![Pope 'jijik' dengan tindakan bakar al-Quran di Sweden Pope 'jijik' dengan tindakan bakar al-Quran di Sweden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/41603336897_PopeFrancis.jpg)
Pope 'jijik' dengan tindakan bakar al-Quran di Sweden
Pope Francis mengutuk dan menolak perbuatan itu sebagai satu bentuk kebebasan bersuara.
![Zelenskyy adakan pertemuan dengan Pope, pemimpin Itali Zelenskyy adakan pertemuan dengan Pope, pemimpin Itali](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/51684040258_TBPopeFrancis.jpg)
Zelenskyy adakan pertemuan dengan Pope, pemimpin Itali
Presiden Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy pada Sabtu mengadakan perbincangan dengan Pope Francis di Rom dan bertemu beberapa pemimpin Itali sempena lawatan beliau ke Itali.
![Pope Francis dikejar ke hospital akibat jangkitan paru-paru Pope Francis dikejar ke hospital akibat jangkitan paru-paru](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/61680126139_PopeFrancis.jpg)
Pope Francis dikejar ke hospital akibat jangkitan paru-paru
Beliau mengalami sesak nafas sejak kebelakangan ini namun disahkan negatif COVID-19.
![Lupakan ego, pemimpin terbesar gereja Katolik cium kaki pemimpin Sudan Selatan Lupakan ego, pemimpin terbesar gereja Katolik cium kaki pemimpin Sudan Selatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-04/81555074960_pope.jpg)
Lupakan ego, pemimpin terbesar gereja Katolik cium kaki pemimpin Sudan Selatan
Dalam pertemuan itu, Pope Francis memohon agar kedua-dua pemimpin berkenaan mengembalikan keamanan di negara Afrika itu.
![Biarawati disimpan sebagai hamba seks oleh paderi Biarawati disimpan sebagai hamba seks oleh paderi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-11/71511181246_raped.jpg)
Biarawati disimpan sebagai hamba seks oleh paderi
Pope Francis mengaku buat pertama kali bahawa wujudnya skandal biarawati didera secara seksual oleh para pendeta di Gereja Katolik.
![Vatican, Al-Azhar tandatangan dokumen banteras ekstremisme Vatican, Al-Azhar tandatangan dokumen banteras ekstremisme](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/81549300834_VaticanFounderMemori.jpg)
Vatican, Al-Azhar tandatangan dokumen banteras ekstremisme
Vatican dan Masjid Al-Azhar pada Isnin menandatangani sebuah dokumen bagi membanteras kegiatan militan dan ekstremisme.
![3,600 kanak-kanak didakwa dicabul paderi di Jerman 3,600 kanak-kanak didakwa dicabul paderi di Jerman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-01/41516248790_childabuse.jpg)
3,600 kanak-kanak didakwa dicabul paderi di Jerman
Lebih dari 3,600 orang kanak-kanak di Jerman dilaporkan telah dicabul oleh paderi Roman Katolik di negara itu.
![Siri jelajah Pope Francis dicemari insiden serangan terhadap gereja Siri jelajah Pope Francis dicemari insiden serangan terhadap gereja](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-01/81516318529_PeruChurch.jpg)
Siri jelajah Pope Francis dicemari insiden serangan terhadap gereja
Serangan terhadap beberapa buah gereja semakin menjadi-jadi selepas Pope Francis mengumumkan akan mengadakan siri jelajah ke rantau Eropah
![Pope Francis kutuk serangan bom di gereja Mesir Pope Francis kutuk serangan bom di gereja Mesir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-01/41483856396_PopeFrancis.jpg)
Pope Francis kutuk serangan bom di gereja Mesir
Pope Francis mengutuk sekeras-kerasnya serangan bom yang mengorbankan sekurang-kurangnya 43 orang di dua buah gereja Kristian Koptik di Mesir.