Wealth of tribute comes for Benedict, who desired simplicity

By FRANCES D’EMILIO and GIADA ZAMPANO
Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A wealth of tributes poured in from around the world within minutes of the Vatican’s announcement of the death of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy See revealed on Saturday that the late pontiff wanted a simple funeral. A Vatican spokesman said that Pope Francis will celebrate the funeral in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday. The 95-year-old Benedict died Saturday morning in the Vatican monastery where he had resided since shortly after shocking the world by retiring in 2013. Benedict was frail for years and the Vatican said his health had worsened earlier in the week. World leaders, Jewish advocates and the archbishop of Canterbury were among those mourning his death.