Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor Benedict XVI on Saturday, hailing "such a noble person", hours after his death in the Vatican at 95.
“We fondly remember his noble, kind person.
And we feel so much gratitude in our hearts,” the Argentine pope said during a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, highlighting “his sacrifices offered for the good of the Church.”
Pope Francis will preside over his predecessor's funeral on January 5 in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican at 9:30 a.m.
Benedict XVI will then be buried in one of the crypts of the basilica.
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Pope Francis
Benedict XVI
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