RIP: Benedict XVI

His Holiness Benedict XVI, Supreme Pontiff Emeritus, died today at 9:34 AM Central European Time (UTC+1) at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City. The Vatican has announced that his body will lie in the St. Peter's Basilica starting on 2 January and that his funeral will take place on 5 January in St. Peter's Basilica.

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the Faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."

RIP: Vatican Watcher

My beloved brother Jacob passed away this morning. While he was not able to post on the blog regularly for a number of years, his interest in the Vatican and the Church, as well as his faith in God, were as strong as ever to the end. This morning I have come across a string of emails dating back to 2016 detailing Jacob's attempts to arrange a Requiem Mass for himself. Because Jacob was pretty much homebound for his final year, he spent months arranging for the Sacrament of Penance here at home. Thankfully, he received absolution only a short while ago.

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his souls and the souls of all the Faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."