Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller is honoring Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who passed away Saturday at the age of 95.
Pope Benedict XVI presents the pallium to Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio, Texas, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 29. During Mass the pope gave 41 archbishops the woolen pallium as a sign of their communion with him and their pastoral responsibility as shepherds. See POPE-PALLIUMS June 30, 2011.The Vatican announced Benedict’s death and said he died at his home. Three days earlier, he received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.
Benedict’s mission was to “reawaken Christianity in a secularized and indifferent Europe,” according to The Associated Press. Though, he reportedly faced the brunt of multiple scandals within The Vatican. The Holy Father had a brilliant intellectual mind. His contributions in working with Pope John Paul II on leading the drafting committee of the Catechism of the Catholic Church are enormous. Pope Benedict also authored many important books which were superb in content and precise in research. Among these are the excellent Introduction to Christianity and Jesus of Nazareth series.