Pope prays for cardinals, bishops who died within last year

Published: 2007-11-05

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although they held important positions of responsibility at the Vatican or in their local churches, the cardinals and bishops who died within the past year were special because they were friends of Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI said. During a Nov. 5 memorial Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope offered prayers for the eight cardinals, two heads of Eastern Catholic churches and 126 bishops who died in the previous 12 months. Obviously, the churchmen had different personalities and different experiences, both personally and within the church, Pope Benedict said, "but they had the greatest thing in common: friendship with the Lord Jesus." Being called to follow Christ was "the most precious grace" they received throughout their lives, he said. Pope Benedict said that as Christians remember their beloved pastors who have died and all of their beloved deceased during the month of November they should "meditate on Jesus' trust in his Father."

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