VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis hailed the "beloved" Benedict XVI on Sunday as he addressed thousands of Catholics in New Year's Day services at the Vatican, the day after his predecessor died aged 95. "Today we entrust the beloved pope emeritus Benedict XVI to the most holy mother (the Virgin Mary), to accompany him in his passage from this world to God," Francis said at a mass for peace at St Peter's Basilica. Later, delivering his Sunday Angelus prayer in front of thousands gathered in St Peter's Square, the pope bowed his head in a moment of silence in memory of the late pontiff. "Let us all join together, with one heart and one soul, in thanking God for the gift o...Keep on reading: Pope leads New Year’s services with homage to ‘beloved’ Benedict