Pope Francis: Thank you, Benedict, for praying for church

Pope Francis has offered an affectionate, public thank-you to Benedict XVI, whose retirement from the papacy in 2103 shocked the world

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis on Tuesday offered an affectionate, public thank-you to Benedict XVI, whose retirement from the papacy in 2103 shocked the Roman Catholic Church and the world. Addressing tourists and Romans in St. Peter’s Square, Francis triggered applause when he recalled that it was the 70th anniversary of Benedict’s ordination to the priesthood in his native Germany. Joseph Ratzinger later became a powerful Vatican official as the church's official guardian of doctrinal orthodoxy. Then, in 2005, Ratzinger was elected by fellow cardinals as pontiff and chose the name Benedict XVI. He announced in February 2013 his decision to retire two weeks later, the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. Benedict, now 94 and frail, is devoting his remaining years to prayer in a monastery in Vatican City. Francis said: “To you, Benedict, dear father and brother, goes our affection, our gratitude and our closeness."