Joe Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin joined his Catholic brethren in mourning the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The retired former head of the Catholic Church died on Saturday at the age of 95.
“It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Vasquez said in a statement that was posted on the diocese’s Facebook page. “As the successor to St. Peter, his steadfast devotion to the Church’s magisterium and profound spiritual insights have left a significant imprint on the entire people of God.”
National Public Radio (NPR) reported that Benedict’s death followed reports citing the Vatican press office of his worsening health.
Per NPR, the funeral for the German-born Benedict will be held at St. Peter’s Square on Thursday with his successor, Pope Francis, presiding.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in 1927, Benedict was pontiff from 2005 to 2013, and was the first pope to resign in 600 years.
Vasquez extolled Benedict for his short yet impactful time as Bishop of Rome.
“I am forever grateful to him for having appointed me as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, blessing me with the opportunity to shepherd the faithful of this beloved diocese,” the leader of the state capital’s Catholic faithful said in his statement. “Let us give thanks to God for Benedict’s life and witness in serving the Universal Church. May he now be received into Christ’s loving arms for all eternity.”
Benedict earned the nickname “God’s Rottweiler” because of his staunch conservative views on church doctrine.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that thousands of people descended upon the Vatican to pay their respects to Benedict, whose body is lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Per the AP, Italian security officials said that at the end of the first day of viewing, about 65,000 mourners had entered the basilica to say farewell to Benedict.
“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education,” 35-year-old Filippo Tuccio said in the report.