The Bishop of Salford, the head of the Catholic church in Greater Manchester, has paid tribute to the life of Pope Benedict XVI, who has died aged 95.
The Right Reverend John Arnold praised the former Pontiff's 'leadership and gentle shepherding of the church' during his eight years as pope.
Pope Francis announced on Wednesday that his predecessor was 'very sick' and today, New Year's Eve, the Vatican announced the former Pontiff had died. A statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said: "With pain I inform that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today at 9.34 in the Mater Ecclesia Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be released as soon as possible."
The former Pontiff, who visited the UK in 2010, will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign. He was being cared for in a former convent inside the Vatican, where he lived since 2013.
Pope Benedict, born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Marktl am Inn, Germany, didn't visit Greater Manchester in 2010, but the Rt Rev Arnold did meet with him and when he was first ordained an Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster, the position he held before he came to Salford, it was Pope Benedict who appointed him.
Bishop John said in a statement: "The sad news of the death of Pope Benedict XVI was announced on Saturday 31st December. We have reason to reflect on the enormity of his role as leader and guide of the Catholic church.
"There is much for which we need to give thanks for the leadership and gentle shepherding of the church achieved by Pope Benedict in his eight years as our Pope and spiritual father.
"In a time of many political challenges and social change, Pope Benedict remained constant in his promotion of Gospel values, building up the family of the church in all its diversity throughout the world. His was the constant invitation and encouragement to us to be true to the model and example of Christ. His life was dedicated to encouraging us with his scholarship, holiness and prayer.
"May he rest in peace. Amen."
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd David Walker, added in a statement: "I was fortunate to be in the congregation at Westminster Abbey when Pope Benedict, on his visit to the UK, joined the Church of England bishops and other ecumenical guests for worship.
"Throughout his time in office, he maintained warm relationships with the Anglican Communion, and especially with Archbishop Rowan Williams, a fellow theologian. At this sad time, I offer my condolences to the Catholic community both here in Manchester and across the world."
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, said Pope Benedict was 'one of the great theologians of the 20th century'.
In a statement, he said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Benedict. He will be remembered as one of the great theologians of the 20th century. I remember with particular affection the remarkable Papal visit to these lands in 2010. We saw his courtesy, his gentleness, the perceptiveness of his mind and the openness of his welcome to everybody that he met.
"He was through and through a gentleman, through and through a scholar, through and through a pastor, through and through a man of God – close to the Lord and always his humble servant.
"Pope Benedict is very much in my heart and in my prayers. I give thanks to God for his ministry and leadership."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: "I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He was a great theologian whose UK visit in 2010 was an historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout our country. My thoughts are with Catholic people in the UK and around the world today."
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby also hailed Benedict as 'one of the greatest theologians of his age'.
In a statement, he said: "Today I join with the church throughout the world, and especially with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and all in the Catholic church, in mourning the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
"In Pope Benedict's long life and ministry of service to Christ in His church he saw many profound changes in the church and in the world. He lived through the Nazi regime in Germany and served briefly in the Second World War. As a younger theologian and priest he witnessed first-hand the discussions of the Second Vatican Council. As a professor and then as an Archbishop he lived in a divided Germany but saw too the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of his homeland.
"Pope Benedict was one of the greatest theologians of his age – committed to the faith of the church and stalwart in its defence. In all things, not least in his writing and his preaching, he looked to Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God. It was abundantly clear that Christ was the root of his thought and the basis of his prayer.
"In 2013 Pope Benedict took the courageous and humble step to resign the papacy, the first Pope to do so since the fifteenth century. In making this choice freely he acknowledged the human frailty that affects us all. In his retirement in Rome he has led a life of prayer and now he has gone to the eternal rest granted by the Father. In his life and ministry Pope Benedict strove to direct people to Christ. May he now rest in Christ's peace, and rise in glory with all the Saints."
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