KUCHING: In solidarity with the Funeral Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching will hold a memorial mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The mass will be presided by Archbishop Simon Poh at 5.30pm at St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching, today (Jan 5).
The Archdiocese, in a statement today, called on the Catholic faithful to pray in solidarity of the Pope.
In remembering and honouring the late Pope, a memorial table with a Book of Condolence was also set up in the Holy Family Chapel at the Archbishop’s Office, ACCPC for the faithful to pay their respects.
The chapel will remain open until 5pm today.
On Dec 31 2022, Pope Benedict passed away at 9.34 am in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Vatican City, Rome, where the 95-year-old had been residing since 2013.
He was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from April 19, 2005 until his resignation on Feb 28, 2013.
He was succeeded by Pope Francis. Upon his retirement, Pope Benedict chose to be known as ‘Pope Emeritus’.
