Sympathy at passing of former Pope

Acknowledgement at recent council meeting.

The council has extended condolences to the Bishop of Kilmore, Martin Hayes, on the recent passing of Pope Benedict XVI.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, John Paul Feeley, formally acknowledged the ex-pontiff’s passing at the January monthly meeting of elected members.

Benedict, original name Joseph Alois Ratzinger, died on December 31 at the age of 95 years.

He had lived at the Vatican monastery since 2013 as pope emeritus, following his retirement from the papacy; the first pope to retire in 600 years.

His remains were placed in the former tomb of Benedict’s predecessor, St John Paul II, located under St Peter’s Basilica.

John Paul’s remains were moved up to a chapel on the main floor of the basilica following his 2011 beatification.

Benedict was the Catholic Church’s 265th pontiff, and more than 50,000 people attended the German-native’s funeral, following three days of his body lying in state in the basilica.