The Vatican has announced the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died Saturday in a monastery at the age of 95. Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, Pope Benedict was born in 1927, ordained a priest in 1951, became a cardinal in 1977, and was elected Pope in 2005.
Declining health prompted Pope Benedict to resign from the papacy in 2013 when he retired to a monastery, where he lived and prayed for the Church until his death.
The Diocese of Owensboro serves all of western Kentucky and joins Roman Catholics worldwide in mourning his death. Pope Benedict appointed Bishop William Medley to serve as the Bishop of Owensboro in 2009 and left a lasting impression on him.
“With Catholics and people of goodwill throughout the world, I mourn the passing of our Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI,” Bishop Medley said. “In his 95 years, he was an outstanding teacher and servant to the people of God, the Church, and the world.”
Bishop Medley will celebrate Mass at 12:05 p.m. at St. Stephen Cathedral on Thursday for the “repose of the soul of our Pope Emeritus.” The Diocese encourages and invites any and all to attend.
“I join in the prayers of the world that he will now know everlasting peace,” Medley said.
