Benedict, Pope emeritus: I am on
a pilgrimage towards Home
In a letter to an Italian newspaper, Pope emeritus Benedict
responds to questions about how he is spending the last phase of his life.
By Christopher Wells
Pope emeritus Benedict has sent a short letter to the editor
of the Italian news daily Il Corriere della Sera.
The Pope emeritus was responding to the many inquiries from
readers as to how he is spending “this last period of his life.” Noting the
“slow decline” of his “physical strength,” Benedict says in the letter that
“interiorly, I am on a pilgrimage towards Home.” The former Roman Pontiff
admits that “this last stretch of the road” is “at times difficult,” but says,
“It is a great grace for me to be surrounded by a love and goodness that I
could not have imagined.”
Concluding his letter, Benedict said he considers the concern
of the readers for his well-being as an “accompaniment” for the journey. In
closing, he expresses his gratitude, and assures everyone of his prayers.
In 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope since Gregory
XII in 1415 to resign the papacy. In the announcement of his resignation,
Benedict said he would continue to serve the Church “through a life dedicated
to prayer. Since May of 2013, the pope emeritus has resided in the Mater
Ecclesiae Monasterywithin the borders of Vatican City State.
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