Nine days of mourning begins Saturday with the tolling of church bells by the Covington Diocese for 10 minutes beginning at noon today announcing the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The Vatican announced that Benedict died Saturday at his home in the Vatican at age 95.
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington as well as other churches will be cloaked in black bunting as a sign of mourning.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI served the Church as Supreme Pontiff for eight years, preaching that ‘God is Love’ and that we are ‘Saved by Hope,’” said Diocese of Covington Bishop John Iffert. “We pray now that he may know God’s love forever in heaven.”
Known as The Novemdiales, patrons and residents are encouraged to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI.