Pope Benedict especially felt the great problems of our time, he knew and understood the peoples of Central Europe - said Cardinal Péter Erdő in the Szent István Basilica in the 16th century. He said at the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict on Monday. According to the cardinal, Pope Benedict was a collaborator of the Truth, who explained Christ's truth with words of love for the people of our time.
"It is with a sad heart that we bid farewell to Pope Benedict, whom we laid to rest last Thursday in Rome under the leadership of Pope Francis" - with these words Cardinal-Archbishop Péter Erdő began his homily in the St. István Basilica on Monday, the XVI. Benedict said at the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus.
"Pope Benedict also expressed in his motto that he wanted to be a cooperator veritatis.
His life's work was an exposition of the truth of Christ, but not in the form of abstract speculation, but in words of love, for the man of our time"
said Péter Erdő, who according to XVI. Benedek Názáreti's work on Jesus was not only the culmination of his scientific work, but also of his pastoral mission.
He said that Pope Benedict was committed to seeking the unity of Christians and dialogue with all people of good will. "During this, he respectfully listened and took into account the opinions of others, but at the same time he was unwaveringly faithful to the teachings of Christ," he said.
Pope Benedict knew and understood the peoples of Central Europe, said Péter Erdő. According to him, the Pope Emeritus was aware of the fate of our country and nation, and on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Elizabeth, in 2007, he addressed a special letter to us, the Hungarians.
His example also proved to be an incentive for political figures to strive for reconciliation between peoples, encouraged by his zeal.
In the light of the truths of our faith, Pope Benedict sensitively supported the values of marriage and family, reconciliation between peoples, peace and social justice.
He told me several times that he prays for the Hungarians with special love. Now is the time for us to pray for him, Péter Erdő drew attention.
According to the Hungarian high priest, the words of Pope Francis, which he said about Benedict, are still valid today: "we all feel his spiritual presence, we know that he accompanies the whole Church with his prayers (...), his theological work is still fruitful and effective". Péter Erdő explained that in the homily of Pope Benedict's first solemn papal Mass, he spoke about Jesus, who as a good shepherd seeks out and takes the lost sheep on his shoulders.
This lost sheep, he said, is humanity itself! Pope Benedict was a collaborator of Jesus, the good shepherd, in this great mission - believes the cardinal-archbishop, who said at the end of his speech: "may God grant that from the house of the Heavenly Father he supports the fulfillment of the mission of our church with his prayers".
Source and image: Hungarian Nation
