Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's final words before death revealed - New York Post

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s past words earlier helium died Saturday were, “Lord, I emotion you,” according to his longtime secretary.

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein quoted a caregiver who was helping the 95-year-old and heard the words soon earlier his decease connected New Year’s Eve.

The caregiver recalled Benedict making the abbreviated connection astatine astir 3 a.m. earlier helium died aboriginal that morning, Gaenswein said.

“Benedict XVI, with a faint dependable but successful a precise chiseled way, said successful Italian, ‘Lord, I emotion you,’” Gaenswein told the Vatican’s authoritative media Sunday.

“I wasn’t determination successful that moment, but the caregiver a small aboriginal recounted it.

“They were his past comprehensible words, due to the fact that afterwards, helium wasn’t capable to explicit himself immoderate more.”

Gaenswin, a German prelate, lived successful the Vatican monastery wherever Benedict resided aft helium retired from the station successful 2013.

The assemblage of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies astatine the Monastero Mater Ecclesia successful Vatican City.Getty Images

The Vatican reported that Pope Francis paid his respects close aft Gaenswein called to pass him that Benedict had died a small aft 9:30 a.m.

Francis prayed for Benedict’s transition to eden and expressed appreciation for his work arsenic caput of the Catholic Church that lasted 8 years.

“Today we entrust to our Blessed Mother our beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, truthful that she whitethorn travel him successful his transition from this satellite to God,” helium said.

A presumption of the convent of Mater Ecclesiae, the residence of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.Getty Images

Benedict’s coffin volition beryllium viewed for 3 days starting Monday with nary less than 25,000 to 30,000 mourners expected that day, said Rome Prefect Bruno Frattasi, an Interior Ministry authoritative to Italian authorities television.

His assemblage laic connected a burgundy-colored bier successful the chapel of the monastery wherever helium lived successful retirement.

With Post wires