Catholic prelates, faithful mourn Pope Benedict XVI

"He has served in a special way not only as a prefect of the congregation now the dicastery of doctrine and faith but also as a confidant and a great supporter in the whole era of Pope John Paul 11," he said.

According to Archbishop Muheria, the fallen Pope stood out as he was pushing toward the realisation of human dignity despite religion and status.

"When he was elected, he referred to himself as a poor labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. He was characteristically a simple man with a simple soul.

"Surprisingly he put up against an image that referred to him as stern even perhaps harsh. On the contrary, he was the most loving father, most tender in his devotion and love," said the Archbishop.

The spiritual leader said he interacted with Pope Benedict, who before he became Pope was known as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, saying for the number of times he interacted, Pope emeritus was a "most pleasant, humble and simple person".

His approach was always very respectful despite his great intellectual caliber. "To me, on the various occasions I had with him, he came across as a loving and caring father."

Muheria praised the deceased, saying he served the Catholic Church with great faithfulness and dedication in many offices: As a lecturer and later professor of Theology at the University of Munich; as an expert in the Second Vatican Council; as Archbishop of Munich; as Prefect of the Dicastery of Doctrine and Faith and finally as Pope for over eight years.

Archbishop Muheria prides himself on the Episcopal ring with a Eucharistic theme, that he gifted him after the Bishops Synod on the Eucharist in 2005.

The Catholic Chaplain at Karatina University, Dr Mbai Muthee, interacted with the Pope through his various quotes in the various books he wrote which he says were extensively quoted at the seminary.

"When we were in the seminary, he was highly quoted as a dogmatic theologian we all admired. He was brilliant and a man of principles, he has taught us that when a job is impossible for whatever reasons you can always step aside."

Father Mbai says most leaders should borrow a leaf from the late Pope to always step aside when various factors compel them to leave their plum jobs.

On his part, Father Peter Githinji, a church postulator, said he was in Rome when Pope Benedict tendered his resignation letter and when the announcement was made, a move that humbled him.

"We have lost a great educator of doctrine and faith and a defender of the faith of the Catholic. He was a great author of numerous works, including Milestones and On the way to Jesus Christ.

The former Pope, Benedict, served as the pope of the Catholic Church for over seven years (2005 to 2013) and died after a period of illness.

He was the 265th pope in the more than 1800-year history of the Catholic Church.