SW News: The Holy Father Pope Francis remembered his predecessor who passed away on Saturday morning. In the homily he delivered at the conclusion of the year-end celebration of Vespers and the Te Deum, the pontiff remembered Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as a noble and kind man of faith. He gave thanks to the Almighty for the gift of Benedict XVI to the Church. During the homily given in St Peter’s Basilica, the pope said “And speaking of kindness, at this moment, my thought naturally goes to dear Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who left us this morning. We are moved as we recall him as such a noble person, so kind. And we feel such gratitude in our hearts: gratitude to God for having given him to the Church and to the world; gratitude to him for all the good he accomplished, and above all, for his witness of faith and prayer, especially in these last years of his recollected life.”

He said only God knows the value and the power of his intercession, of the sacrifices he offered for the good of the Church,” he added.

The New Year celebration featured the Solemn Vespers and the intonation of the centuries-old Latin hymn Te Deum, which is used during thanksgiving services.
He went on to describe kindness as a key ingredient for creating a "culture of dialogue, and dialogue is indispensable to live in peace.” This, he said, was significant “since we do not always agree with one another on all matters, which is normal, but we must endeavor to speak and listen to one another to find understanding and draw closer to one another”.

While concluding, the Holy Father exhorted everyone to gaze at the icon of the Virgin Mother, the image of Our Lady of Carmine of Avigliano, near Potenza in Italy, which is enshrined in St Peter’s Basilica.