Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI to Take Place Saturday, February 23 at Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in North Baltimore

Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI on February 23rd at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in North Baltimore. The Mass, open to the public, will give Catholics in the Archdiocese an opportunity to give thanks and offer prayers for the pontificate of Pope Benedict, who is resigning from the Papacy, effective February 28.

Archbishop Lori has invited the priests of the Archdiocese to concelebrate the Mass and has encouraged parishes to send representatives. In addition, Catholic hospitals, schools and other organizations have been invited to share in the liturgical celebration of Pope Benedict’s pontificate and public ministry.

Last week, Archbishop Lori praised the Pope for putting the needs of the Catholic Church first in reaching his decision to resign due to advanced age.

“His Holiness is a profound and loving teacher of the faith, a courageous defender of human of human rights and dignity, and a man of prayer, humility, and wisdom. My single task … is to request the prayers of the faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and all women and men of good will for Pope Benedict as he concludes his long and loving service to the Church,” the Archbishop said at a news conference Monday, February 11.

Pope Benedict XVI was elected Supreme Pontiff in April 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II.