Belgian bishops expressed their emotions on Saturday after the announcement of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
“We have known for some days that his health had deteriorated and we had invited the public to pray for him,” they said in a press release.
“We repeat to Pope Francis our communion in prayer for the repose of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.”
The Belgian bishops underlined the “love of the Catholic Church” and the “accomplished mission” of the Pope from 2005 to 2013.
They had visited Benedict XVI in May 2010 and remembered his “great cordiality” during the audience.
“The Pope spoke of the holiness of Father Damien and invited us to propose his example to priests and religious. Pope Benedict XVI was also keen to send his encouragement to priests, religious men and women, deacons and pastoral leaders who are often overburdened.”
The Pope referred to a Belgian priest born in Flemish Brabant who worked as missionary in Hawaii between 1864 – 1889 during a critical period of its history. He dedicated his life to the people with leprosy on Molokai, an island in Hawaii, until he succumbed himself to the disease.
In 2009, he was canonized by the Catholic Church as Saint Damien of Molokai. Father Damien has become a legend in both Belgium and Hawaii and achieved the status of national hero in both countries.
