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He said it was written as a catechesis for teenagers, with the contributions of his young collaborators, and he improved them by providing “a little editing.”

Francis praised his predecessor, who was known for his scholarly intellect, as a “master of catechesis.”

Francis, 86, who will preside at Benedict's funeral on Thursday, called his predecessor "a great master of catechesis."

Francis drew applause when he opened his remarks by noting all those who were outside paying tribute to Benedict, whom he called a “great master of catechesis.”

This year, Francis has sought to give shape to that thinking with a catechesis series, or religious instruction, on aging.