Benedict penned an Oct 2 letter to a German priest, thanking him for letting him know of the passing of the Rev Gerhard Winkler, a Cistercian priest and academic colleague of the former Joseph Ratzinger.

"Of all my colleagues and friends he was the closest to me," Benedict wrote, according to the letter reproduced in German media. "Now he has reached the afterlife, where many friends certainly await him. I hope I can join them soon."

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After praying the Angelus with pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Tuesday - the anniversary of Benedict's priestly ordination - Francis led pilgrims in applauding his predecessor. Benedict's 70th is "an anniversary that touches all of our hearts," Francis said.

"Our affection, our gratitude and our closeness go to you, Benedict, dear father and brother."

He went on to thank Benedict for his continual prayer for the Church in his retirement, calling the retired former pope "the contemplative of the Vatican."

"Thank you for your credible witness. Thank you for your gaze, constantly directed toward the horizon of God. Thank you."

The 94-year old retired pope celebrated Mass privately to mark his 70th anniversary. Six members of the choir in Regensburg, Germany of which his late brother Georg was the choirmaster were present.

The retired former pope was born in Bavaria, Germany and was ordained in Bavaria in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising alongside his brother, Georg.

Before his election as pope in 2005, he served for 24 years as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Since retiring, Benedict has chosen to live in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery at the Vatican.

Source

• Catholic News Service
• Catholic News Agency
• Image: Vatican News