His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe "Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI remained as a Simple, Humble Worker in the Vineyard of the Lord."

A special Requiem Mass was held today (05) evening at St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo, Sri Lanka for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe - the Apostolic Nuncio of Sri Lanka and the Bishops of the Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka. Reverend Fathers, Nuns, and the Italian Ambassador to Sri Lanka participated in the Holy Mass.

Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe highlighted some special happenings in the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in his homily.  Pope Benedict XVI has been the oldest pope to be elected since Clement XII at the age of 78 and the first to resign since Gregory XII about 600 years ago. He chose the name - Benedict - in remembrance of Pope Benedict XV who was a courageous prophet of peace who guided the Church through the turbulent times of the First World War. Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe also expressed his gratitude and heartiest feelings toward Pope Benedict XVI by thanking the Almighty for sending such a sincere, fair, and humble shepherd who admired the simplicity and witnessed the true prayer life and faith, especially in his last years after retirement.

At the end of the liturgy Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, the president of the Catholic  Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka appreciated the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and offered his deepest condolences. 

Photos by Akila Peiris, Aquinas Media Unit