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As mourners across the world prepare for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on 5 January in St Peter’s Square, the WCC global fellowship shared prayers and expressed empathy for the Roman Catholic Church.

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay sent a letter of condolence to His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch upon the death of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Expressing the profound sadness of the World Council of Churches (WCC) following the announcement by the Holy See of the death of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI today, the WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca stated:

“On behalf of the World Council of Churches, I express our deepest condolences on the passing of late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He was the first pope to have come from a country, Germany, with a roughly equal balance between Protestants and Catholics, and one that had been at the very centre of the 16th century Reformation.”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed “profound thanks” on 27 February for the ministry and witness of Pope Benedict XVI as he officially completed his service as head of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict had announced his departure earlier in the month, effective 28 February.

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI has brought words of respect and appreciation from the general secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.