Filipino Catholics join the rest of the world in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday, Dec. 31, at the age of 95.

"We are in deep sorrow upon learning of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a statement. Marcos said the Philippines "is one in offering our prayers for the eternal repose of his soul. We keep his loved ones in our prayers," he said.

The Holy See said Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away peacefully at 9:34 a.m. (Vatican time) at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery at the Vatican.

"With sorrow, I inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away today at 9:34 a.m. in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell,” a report by the Holy See Press Office said.

For his part, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David paid tribute to the late Pontiff.

"If Pope Francis is known as the Pope of Mercy and Joy, Pope Benedict will be remembered as the Pope of Charity. He began his episcopacy with a profoundly theological encyclical entitled Deus Caritas Est (God is Love)," the Church leader said in a statement.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos, who earlier offered holy masses and prayers for the health of Pope Benedict XVI, cited the virtues of the late Pontiff.

“He is so holy and very humble. That was our first impression of Pope Benedict XVI when as prefect of the sacred congregation for the Doctrines of Faith, he came to our Pontificio Collegio Filippino for a symposium on Fides et Ratio. Very clear, so eloquent and down to earth in his theology the student-priests were moved by his humility and with his patience. He accepted and answered all questions, accommodated all picture-taking and signing his books. He communicated with his heart, manifesting his profound knowledge and his love to his students,” Bishop Santos said in a statement.

“His life is truly a love for the Church. His love is God. For the Church he gives all, does all and sacrifices his life for her. In his solitude Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI still guides the Church with his prayers. In his silence he continues to serve the Church with his writings. And now from above Pope Benedict XVI prays for us, blesses us and intercedes for us,” the prelate said.

“The Diocese of Balanga grieves with the whole Christendom with the passing of Pope Benedict XVI to eternal life. Amid our sorrow and sadness we are assured of his eternal peace and rest in Heaven. Our dear Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI goes home to God. With our filial love we accompany him with our prayers and Holy Masses. We are grateful for his love and charity to the whole Church. His holy, humble apostolic ministry lives on in our hearts,” said Bishop Santos.

On Dec. 28, Pope Francis asked for prayers for the health of his predecessor. Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos and other Church leaders in the country responded by offering their holy masses and prayers for the health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.