Timor -Leste mourns the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Eighth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
January 1st, 2023
Press Release
Timor-Leste mourns the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
The Government of Timor-Leste was deeply saddened to receive the news of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's passing away yesterday, December 31st, 2022, at the age of 95, in the Vatican.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, on April 16th, 1927, he was Pope of the Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome from April 19th, 2005 to February 28th, 2013, when he officially abdicated, becoming Pope Emeritus and Roman Pontiff Emeritus of the Catholic Church.
In January 2008, Pope Benedict XVI received in an audience, in the Vatican, the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta.
Pope Benedict XVI, in 2010, erected a new Ecclesiastical District in Timor-Leste, establishing the Diocese of Maliana and electing as its first Bishop the most Reverend Monsignor Norberto Amaral.
The Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, on behalf of the Timorese Government and People, extended his deepest condolences to the family, the Holy See and the entire Catholic Church.
The Spokesperson for the 8th Constitutional Government, Minister Fidelis Magalhães, pointed out that his legacy will last forever etched in the memory of everyone around the world. END
