On the last day of the year, the thermometer shows up to 17 degrees locally. Reason enough for Foubert IJs from Sint-Niklaas to get their ice cream carts from the stables in the Waasland. “It is the first time in our history that we let the carts drive around in the winter,” says co-manager Jan Foubert.
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December 2022
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose resignation in 2013 took the whole world by surprise, died on Saturday at the age of 95 in the monastery in the Vatican gardens where he had retired.
• Read also: Prayers in Germany and Rome for Benedict XVI, in a “steady state”
“I have the pain to announce to you that the pope emeritus, Benedict XVI, died today at 9:34 a.m., at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, in the Vatican”, announced in a press release the director of the press service of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni.
The health of the German theologian had deteriorated in recent days, but the Vatican had indicated on Friday that his condition was “stationary” and that he had participated in the celebration of mass in his room on Thursday.
The funeral of the 265th pope should be celebrated by his successor Francis in Rome, an unprecedented event in the two thousand year history of the Catholic Church which tens of thousands of people might attend, including heads of state.
His death puts an end to the unusual cohabitation of two men in white: the German Joseph Ratzinger, a brilliant theologian not very comfortable with crowds, and the Argentinian Jorge Bergoglio, a Jesuit endowed with an incisive word who wanted put the poor and migrants back at the center of the Church’s mission.
After eight years of pontificate marked by multiple crises, Benedict XVI had been caught up in early 2022 by the drama of pedocrime in the Church. Questioned by a report in Germany on his management of sexual violence when he was Archbishop of Munich, he broke his silence to ask for “pardon”, but assured that he had never covered up a child criminal.
His renunciation, announced in Latin on February 11, 2013, was a personal decision linked to his declining strength and not to the pressure of scandals, he assured in a book of confidences published in 2016.
With this gesture, unprecedented in six centuries, the first German pope in modern history paved the way for his successors whose strength would come to decline. Francois, 86 and suffering from knee pain, left the possibility “open” himself.
“Special” prayer
On Wednesday, Pope Francis had called for a “special prayer” for his “seriously ill” predecessor and went to his bedside at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, located in the heart of the Vatican gardens.
The Holy See then confirmed the “worsening” of the German theologian’s state of health due to his “advanced age”, specifying that he remained under permanent medical supervision.
“It is his vital functions that are failing, including the heart,” a Vatican source told AFP, adding that no hospitalization was planned, the residence of Benedict XVI having the necessary medical equipment.
On Friday followingnoon, the Vatican held a mass at the Basilica of Saint John in Lateran in Rome to pray for the former pope.
Benedict XVI had appeared more and more fragile in recent months, moving around in a wheelchair, but he continued to receive visitors. The photos of his last visit received, dating from December 1, showed a frail and visibly weakened man.
VIH to Vatileak
Born in 1927, Joseph Ratzinger taught theology for 25 years in Germany before being appointed Archbishop of Munich.
He then became the strict guardian of the dogma of the Church for another quarter of a century in Rome at the head of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, then pope for eight years (2005-2013), succeeding John Paul II. .
As head of the Catholic Church, he defended a conservative line, notably on abortion, homosexuality or euthanasia.
His statements have sometimes shocked, such as on Islam or the use of condoms once morest HIV.
His pontificate was also marked in 2012 by the leak of confidential documents (“Vatileaks”) orchestrated by his butler. The scandal had exposed a Roman Curia (Vatican government) plagued by intrigue and devoid of financial rigor.
The latest video of Benedict XVI, released by the Vatican in August, showed an emaciated man with a hearing aid who might no longer speak but whose gaze was still sharp.
Benedict XVI remains stable and has spent the night assisted by doctors
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is in “serious but stable” health conditions and spent the night constantly assisted by doctors and in the company of his secretary, the Italian media said Thursday, citing sources close to the German pontiff.
“His situation has not changed since yesterday,” sources in contact with the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, in the Vatican gardens, where the emeritus pope has lived apart since 2013, following his resignation, told the Ansa news agency, adding that Benedict XVI will continue in constant surveillance by medical teams.
In addition, his secretary, the German Georg Gänswein, remains constantly by his side, according to Italian public television RAI.
The Holy See has not given more details regarding the health of the emeritus pontiff following this Wednesday the director of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed that in the last few hours there had been “an aggravation” of his condition “due to the advance of age”.
Meanwhile, concern for the health of Benedict XVI has permeated Italian politics and this morning one of the spokesmen in the Chamber of Deputies for the ultra-Brothers of Italy, the ruling party, has asked for him.
“We all ask for the health of the Holy Father emeritus Benedict XVI, undoubtedly the most important theologian of the post-enlightenment period,” said Alfredo Antoniozzi.
The Diocese of Rome assured that it has joined the prayer request made by Pope Francis at the general audience on Wednesday, when he sounded the alarm regarding the situation of the pope emeritus.
“I ask for a special prayer for Pope Benedict XVI who is supporting the Church in silence and to remember that he is very ill and asking the Lord to comfort him and support him in this testimony of love for the Church until the end,” he said.
Since April 2, 2013, Ratzinger has lived surrounded by his Vatican “family”, made up of a secretary and four consecrated lay women from the “Memores Domini” institute, which belongs to the Communion and Liberation movement, who share the housework and take care of the needs of the pope emeritus.
Benedict XVI, the first pope to renounce the pontificate since the time of Gregory XII, at the beginning of the 15th century, has rarely left the leonine walls, once to visit his inseparable brother in the hospital and in June 2020 when he traveled to Regensburg to see him once more a few weeks before he died.
Source: EFE
Anthony Hopkins celebrates 47 years of sobriety in heartbreaking video
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
People and royalty
On his social networks, the British legend sent an inspiring message to his followers.
It’s a message that will have a particular resonance for some who, directly or indirectly, have been confronted with alcoholism. British actor Anthony Hopkins released an inspiring video this week to celebrate 47 years of sobriety with honesty and heartwarming kindness.
Read also > Brad Pitt talks regarding his previous addiction to alcohol, an “escape”
« I just want to wish everyone a happy new year and also say that today I celebrate 47 years of sobriety “, tells us the Oscar-winning actor, who evokes self-love in his touching monologue: “ I’m a recovering alcoholic, and for you behind your screen, I know there are people struggling. Be kind to yourself. Stay out of the circle of toxicity with people if they offend you. Live your life, be proud of your life. »
The legendary interpreter of Hannibal Lecter continues by remembering a difficult passage to overcome: ” I probably didn’t have long to live. I had to recognize one day that there was something wrong with me. I didn’t realize it was a mental, physical, or emotional condition called alcoholism or addiction. And I’m not an expert on drugs – I’m not an expert on anything. I know nothing. Except I found a life where no one pushes me. »
And to the iconic actor to provide his good advice to people who are victims of alcoholism: “ Be proud of yourself. Do not be ashamed. Don’t listen to them. Don’t let yourself be put down. Depression is part of life. Life is hard. “A magnificent hope at the end of the year 2022.