‘A noble person, so kind,’ Pope Francis pays tribute to Benedict XVI

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis on Sunday paid tribute to former Pope Benedict XVI, who died in the Vatican at the age of 95, saying the latter is remembered as a “noble person, so kind.”

Hours after the Vatican’s announcement of the death of Benedict, Pope Francis honored his predecessor for his contributions to the Church and to the world.

READ: Former Pope Benedict dies aged 95

“At this moment, my thought goes spontaneously to dear Pope emeritus Benedict XVI who left us this morning. We are moved as we recall him as such a noble person, so kind,” the Pope said in a tweet.

He then added: “And we feel such gratitude in our hearts: gratitude to God for having given hi…

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