D. Manuel Clemente recalls the “balm” of Benedict XVI’s visit to Portugal
The Patriarch of Lisbon, D. Manuel Clemente, recorded the visit of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, to Portugal, in 2010, which was “a balm and an incentive to move forward, while I could”.
There were many faithful who joined at the end of this afternoon, in the Cathedral of Lisbon, in a suffrage mass for Benedict XVI.
The celebration was presided over by D. Manuel Clemente, who, in his homily, the Patriarch of Lisbon assured that for Ratzinger this moment was very important, as it will also be for Pope Francis, when he comes to Portugal, next summer for the Jornada World Youth.
With the Cathedral of Lisbon full of faithful who gathered to pray for the Pope Emeritus, who died on Saturday at the age of 95, D. Manuel Clemente also underlined that the exercise of Justice was one of the hallmarks of the pontificate of Benedict XVI.
“Giving all the place to God, to also give all attention to our neighbor, was what he constantly exhorted us to do, homily by homily, encyclical by encyclical, attitude by attitude”, he stressed.
The mass was followed by a moment of prayer for Benedict XVI. ONE
RenaissanceJoão Clemente, responsible for the Diocesan Organizing Committee of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, explains that the moment recalls the meeting of young people with the Pope in 2010.
“We tried to invite everyone to participate, in a very simple moment of prayer, where we recorded the visit from Portugal that marked many young people.
The world of politics was also present. Representing the Government, Minister of Justice Catarina Sarmento e Castro recalled “an intellectual” and “a man who touched the world”.
The Mayor of Lisbon was also present. Carlos Moedas points out that Benedict XVI “meant what a worthy man was”.
“Abdicating power was an extraordinary example. He was a Pope of truth and Education. He was a teacher and that his vocation went beyond being Pope”, he said.