Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI body lying in state at Vatican

Before the rank-and-file faithful were allowed into the basilica, prayers were intoned and a small cloud of incense was released near the body. Johny Fernandez reports.

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[Whatyoutakinbout]

A lot of skeletons in his closet. He’s facing his judgement

[brucewane]

Keep your children away from these people.

[finnburke]

Worst Pope of this generation bar none.. but rest in peace

[VLove-CFII]

He may be the spiritual head of the world's largest Christian church, but a cousin of Pope Benedict the XVI says that he is still a naughty boy to her.

Steffie Brzakovic, 78, of Cooma, received a call from her famous first cousin shortly after his election in a papal conclave in April.

It was the first time she had heard from him in more than 50 years.

Mrs. Brzakovic, who was raised in the southern Germany city of Weilheim before moving to Australia in 1956, said she remembered Joseph Ratzinger as a young boy who was often up to no good.

"He was everywhere he shouldn't [have] been, she recalled yesterday, shaking her head. "When I think today of what we did, it's a wonder that [we are] alive."

When she received the phone call three months ago she first thought it was a prank. It wasn't until His Holiness told her it was "Ratzinger Pepi", referring to his childhood nickname, that she realized who was on the other end.

"I said, 'Are you the Pope?' and he [replied]. 'But for you I am still Ratzinger Pepi'."

Mrs. Brzakovic was raised as a Roman Catholic, but became a Jehovah's Witness in the 1970's.

She said that while her religious differences with her family had caused frustration, the Pope had encouraged her for following her faith.

"He told me that 'You are doing the work that we should do', " she said, referring to her church's missionary work. "He said, 'You have halls that are not too big, but they are full. We have cathedrals, churches, chapels and they are empty'."

Mrs. Brzakovic is spending this weekend at a Jehovah's Witness convention in Canberra with about 3000 district worshippers.

its only a matter of time before we get the The Pontifex Maximus down to a bible study! Once he realises that we have 'the truth', then he shall issue a Papal bull stating that all Catholics should become witnesses, and then we shall be in the big time, lookout the haters!

[elatomala]

May Pope Benedict rest in peace. He's in God our Creators hands now!