Catholic North Holland mourns death of ex-pope: “Special place in hearts of believers”

Dresmé found it special that Benedict was the first pope ever to relinquish the papacy in 2013, but he was not the only one. “His resignation came as a surprise to the church.”

Dresmés Alkmaar colleague Jan-Jaap van Peperstraten is also busy with the death of the previous pope, as evidenced by the many tweets he has devoted to the death in recent hours. “Every pope is different,” says Van Peperstraten. “You like one more than the other, that’s how it goes, but Pope Benedict did have a special place in the hearts of the faithful.”

‘A Matter of Hours or Days’

Benedict’s death did not come as a bolt from the blue. “Last Friday, Pope Francis – the current pope – had already asked to pray for Benedict. “After that message it would be a matter of hours or days when we knew the end was in sight. We knew he wasn’t going to make it to February, so to speak.”

“When someone dies at the age of 95, after a long illness and a very rich and full life in which he has done and meant so much to so many people, may he come home to the father. We are thankful for his life, may his life be returned to God in peace. Those are the main feelings that now live among Catholics,” Van Peperstraten describes.

“We think back on everything he has meant. Both his time as a theologian – in which he wrote wonderful books, which we have not yet spoken about, and his time as pope.”

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Peperstraten emphasizes how special Benedict’s papacy has been. The 95-year-old German, born Joseph Ratzinger, was the first pope to resign. All his predecessors were popes until their deaths.

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The Hilversum pastor Dresmé will remember Benedict as the pope who made a ‘turnaround’. “He was head of the doctrine of the faith for a very long time. When he was a theologian, he addressed people about the content of what appeared in the books in the culture of the ministry of the great doctrine. And when he became pope, he suddenly struck a mild tone even in his own books.”

Pope Benedict also took on an explanatory role instead of just an informing role, says Dresmé. “In addition to his theological works, he also made exegetical works, in which he explained the Bible. I have always found that very surprising about him. His books have been read a lot and they remain very special.”

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In addition to the ringing of the church bells and the memorial service in Haarlem, Benedict’s death will also be remembered in other ways. “We will pray for him during the Sunday celebration and the New Year’s celebration, just like for all the other deceased,” said Van Peperstraten.