Waterford City & County Council will lower flags on Council buildings in Waterford and Dungarvan to half mast today Thursday, January 5th, to mark the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, served as the Pope from 2005 to 2013. He was the oldest Pope to be elected in nearly 300 years and the first Pope to resign in over 600 years. During his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI worked to promote traditional Catholic teachings and values, and played a significant role in the Church’s response to the sexual abuse scandals that had plagued the Church in the preceding years. His passing marks the end of an era in the Catholic Church.

The Council extends its condolences to all those affected by the Pope’s passing.