Pope Francis, in his first public comments since the death of his predecessor earlier on Saturday, called former Pope Benedict a noble, kind man who was a gift to the Church and the world.
Francis spoke in the homily of a previously planned New Year's Eve vespers of thanksgiving in St Peter's Basilica.
"It is with emotion that we remember his person, so noble, so kind. And we feel in our heart such gratitude, gratitude to God for having gifted him to the Church and the world," Francis said.
Benedict, 95, died on Saturday morning in the Vatican after his health suddenly deteriorated over Christmas.
He was pope between 2005 and 2013, when he became the first pope in 600 years to step down instead of ruling for life.
Within minutes of the announcement of the death of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday morning, a wealth of tributes poured in from around the world, while the Vatican revealed that the late pontiff would be given a “simple” funeral, celebrated by Pope Francis, in keeping with his wishes.
Words of praise and fond remembrance poured in from world leaders and religious figures.
US president Joe Biden said in a statement: “Jill and I join Catholics around the world, and so many others, in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
“I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict at the Vatican in 2011 and will always remember his generosity and welcome as well as our meaningful conversation.”
Mr Biden also recalled Benedict’s 2008 visit to the White House, saying the then pontiff had remarked that the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity.
“May his focus on the ministry of charity continue to be an inspiration to us all,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute, describing Benedict as “a humble man of prayer and study.”
Mr Guterres said the late pontiff was “principled in his faith, tireless in his pursuit of peace, and determined in his defence of human rights.”
He added that Benedict “was a spiritual guide to millions across the world and one of the leading academic theologians of our time.”
Mr Guterres offered his “deepest condolences to Catholics and others around the world who were inspired by his life of prayer and tenacious commitment to non-violence and peace”.
While a year-end holiday mood was palpable in the square of the small Bavarian town where the former pope was born in 1927, church bells tolled solemnly at St Oswald Church in Marktl am Inn, near the Austrian border.
The pastor of the Bavarian town of Altoetting, where Benedict came many times as a pilgrim to pray to a famous statue of the Virgin Mary, has lauded the former pope as a humble, yet knowledgeable and unique man.
“He was humble in the Bavarian way,” Pastor Klaus Metzl told The Associated Press. “We all knew what he could do and how much he knew, but he never bragged about it.” - Additional reporting from The Associated Press
