3 Years Ago Today - Part 2
Posted by james0235 on April 8, 2008
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI led the Mass of Requiem on April 8 at 10:00 a.m. CEST (08:00 UTC), by virtue of his office as Dean of the College of Cardinals. He was also one of Pope John Paul II’s closest friends and carried out most of the Pope’s duties during his final illness. Concelebrating in the Mass of Requiem were the College of Cardinals…and the patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
After kissing the text of the Book of the Gospels, Cardinal Ratzinger stood before the congregants to offer the homily which included references to the life and service of Pope John Paul…The cardinal’s last words were about the final hours of Pope John Paul II:
None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing Urbi et Orbi. We can be sure that our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
(source)
