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Pope Francis Gives Thanks to God for Benedict XVI’s Sacrifices for the Church

KERSTIN JOENSSONA photograph of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is seen in St. Oswald Church in his birthplace of Marktl am Inn, southern Germany, on Dec. 31, the day of his death.

Pope Francis spoke at a prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 31. Before the start of the liturgy, Catholics in attendance prayed a Rosary for the repose of the soul of Benedict XVI.