‘Saying Goodbye to a Man of the Church’

March 1, 2023

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly represents the Order at the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI

By Columbia staff

March 1, 2023

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori and Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly kneel in prayer before the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Basilica on Jan. 3. — Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori and Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly kneel in prayer before the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peters Basilica on Jan. 3. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, joined by other Supreme Officers, traveled to Rome in early January to honor and pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose requiem Mass was celebrated at the Vatican on Jan. 5.

Pope Benedict died Dec. 31 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery at the Vatican, where he had lived since resigning from the See of Peter in 2013 due to deteriorating strength. He was 95 years old. Benedict’s last words, according to his longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, were “Signore, ti amo” (“Lord, I love you”).

In a statement following Pope Benedict’s death, Supreme Knight Kelly reflected on the late pontiff’s legacy of lucid teaching and humble Christian witness.

“Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclicals, books, homilies and other writings form a theological treasury and profound testimony to Jesus Christ and his Church, which he served with such humility and fidelity,” he wrote. “The Knights of Columbus were grateful beneficiaries of the wisdom and teaching of the late pontiff, including by his interventions at several symposia and gatherings sponsored by the Knights through the years.”

The Order supported and collaborated with Pope Benedict in numerous ways throughout his pontificate, and for years before, when then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Pope John Paul II.

On Jan. 3 and 4, while Pope Benedict’s body lay in state, Supreme Knight Kelly and the other Supreme Officers paid their respects in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and gathered for Mass at chapels significant to the Knights of Columbus to pray for the late pope.

“I am humbled to represent 2 million members of the Knights of Columbus and their families, to be here to show our respects to this great man of the Church,” said the supreme knight, who was interviewed in Rome by Catholic media outlets, including EWTN and Vatican Radio.

“These days here in Rome, yes, they are solemn days where we’re saying goodbye to a man of the Church. But I think in so many ways, in my heart and I think in many others, they’re days of gratitude,” the supreme knight noted in his interview with Vatican Radio. “Gratitude that … this wonderful man put all his gifts, the gifts that God had given him, at the service of the Church.”

More than 250,000 mourners attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025

‘Saying Goodbye to a Man of the Church’

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