Pope Francis offers his condolences to Benedict XVI after the death of his brother

Pope Francis offered his condolences to Benedict XVI on Thursday after the death of his brother.

In a letter to the pope emeritus dated 2 July, the pope expressed his "sincere sympathy" after the death of Msgr. Georg Ratzinger July 1 at the age of 96.

"You were kind enough to be the first to tell me the news of the departure of your beloved brother Georg," wrote Pope Francis in the letter issued in Italian and German by the Holy See press office.

"In this hour of mourning I would like to express once again my sincere sympathy and my spiritual closeness."

The letter continued: "I assure you of my prayers for the deceased, so that the Lord of Life, in his goodness and mercy, may receive him in his heavenly homeland and grant him the reward prepared for the faithful servants of the Gospel".

"I also pray for you, Your Holiness, who through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Father will strengthen you in Christian hope and console you in his divine love."

Benedict XVI's older brother died just over a week after the pope emeritus made a four-day trip to Regensburg, Germany, to be at his side. Each day of the visit, the brothers celebrated mass together, according to local bishop Rudolf Voderholzer.

The brothers enjoyed a strong bond throughout their lives. They were ordained together on June 29, 1951 and stayed in touch as their paths diverged, with Georg pursuing an interest in music and his younger brother who was gaining a reputation as a leading theologian.

Georg was the director of the Regensburger Domspatzen, the acclaimed choir of Regensburg Cathedral.

In 2011, he celebrated his 60th anniversary as a priest in Rome with his brother.

The diocese of Regensburg announced on July 2 a pontifical Mass for Requiem for Msgr. Ratzinger will take place at 10 am local time on Wednesday 8 July, in the Regensburg Cathedral. It will be broadcast live on the diocesan website.

Subsequently, Benedict's brother will be placed in the foundation tomb of the Regensburger Domspatzen in the lower Catholic cemetery of Regensburg.

The diocese of Regensburg has invited Catholics from all over the world to leave messages of condolence through its website.

Speaking after Benedict XVI's visit to Germany, Voderholzer said: “We can only wish everyone such an affection, such a fraternal together, as the reports of the Ratzinger brothers testify. It lives on fidelity, trust, selflessness and solid foundations: in the case of the Ratzinger brothers, this is the common and lively faith in Christ, the Son of God