In order to preside over the burial of his predecessor, who resigned from the papacy in 2013, Pope Francis has joined pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.
The dome of St Peter’s basilica at the Vatican was shrouded in mist as the cypress-wood coffin containing Pope Benedict XVI’s body was brought out and placed on the steps.
There was applause from the faithful who had gathered for the funeral.
Benedict was then interred in a tomb beneath the basilica.
Clergy from around the world had come – cardinals in red vestments, nuns and monks in their dark robes.
Pope Francis was brought out on to the dais in a wheelchair.
Latin chants sung by the Sistine Chapel choir echoed across the square. The mood was solemn and subdued.
Daniele, a teacher, who had met the former pontiff at a church in Rome, told me the weather matched the occasion. “The fog represents the mystery of Pope Benedict, the mystery of death and life. I feel very happy and emotional to be in St Peter’s Square.”
The pope was “an important voice in the church”, Daniele said.
During the Mass, concelebrated by cardinals, bishops and priests, Pope Francis spoke of “wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years”.
“Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom,” he said referring to Jesus, “may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever.”
Some 50,000 mourners came to the funeral, according to police. Official delegations were there from Italy and from former Pope Benedict’s home country of Germany. Other leaders, including the king and queen of Belgium attended in a private capacity.
Benedict’s death brings to an end the era of a pope and a former pope living side by side in the Vatican – an unprecedented situation brought about by Benedict’s resignation almost a decade ago.
Pope Francis has joined pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square to preside over the funeral of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned as Pope in 2013.
As the cypress-wood coffin containing Pope Benedict XVI’s body was brought out and placed on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the dome was shrouded in mist.
The congregation that had gathered for the funeral applauded.
Benedict was then buried beneath the basilica in a tomb.
Clergy from around the world had come—cardinals in red vestments, nuns, and monks in their dark robes.
Pope Francis was brought out onto the dais in a wheelchair.
Latin chants sung by the Sistine Chapel choir echoed across the square. The mood was solemn and subdued.
Daniele, a teacher who had met the former pontiff at a church in Rome, told me the weather matched the occasion. “The fog represents the mystery of Pope Benedict, the mystery of death and life. I feel very happy and emotional to be in St. Peter’s Square.”
The pope was “an important voice in the church”, Daniele said.
During the Mass, concelebrated by cardinals, bishops, and priests, Pope Francis spoke of “wisdom, tenderness, and devotion that he has bestowed upon us over the years”.
“Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom,” he said referring to Jesus, “may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever.”
Some 50,000 mourners came to the funeral, according to police. Official delegations were there from Italy and from former Pope Benedict’s home country of Germany. Other leaders, including the king and queen of Belgium attended in a private capacity.
Benedict’s death brings to an end the era of a pope and a former pope living side by side in the Vatican – an unprecedented situation brought about by Benedict’s resignation almost a decade ago.
In February 2013, I stood watching in St Peter’s Square as he flew away from the Vatican in a helicopter, at the end of his pontificate.
The ceremonies surrounding his death have been simpler than those for a sitting pope.
Over the past few days, some 200,000 people came to the Vatican to pay their respects to the former pontiff, as he lay in state in front of the main altar in St Peter’s Basilica.
On the day before the funeral, I joined the long line of visitors and mourners queuing to view his body. Dressed in red and gold vestments, he had a rosary clasped in his white, waxy hands.
There was no display of usual papal regalia like the silver staff, a sign that he was no longer Pope when he died.
But in line with tradition, a lead tube containing an account of Benedict’s papacy, as well as other items, including Vatican coins minted during his reign, were placed in the coffin.
At the end of the service, the choir sang, “May the angels lead you into paradise.” Pope Francis placed his hand on the wooden coffin in a final prayer, before it was carried away, to be sealed and placed in another coffin made of zinc with an outer one of wood.
It was buried in the crypt under St Peter’s Basilica, where Pope John Paul II was originally interred in 2005 before his body was moved up to a chapel, after his beatification.
While many leading figures have praised Benedict since his death – paying tribute to his theological studies – there has also been criticism, particularly by victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.
The Snap Survivors network said the former pope “virtually ignored the burning problem of clergy sexual abuse during his tenure in office”.
“In his more than 25 years as the world’s most influential religious figure,Pope Benedict XVI fell short in protecting children and adults around the world.”
In St Peter’s Square, feelings about the former pope were mixed. Gaia from Sardinia said that while Benedict had been “a very good pope, I prefer Pope Francis. I think that he’s closer to people in 2023”.
Simona from Monza in northern Italy told me she was concerned that Francis might follow Benedict’s example and retire.
“I’m worried that he is sick,” she said. “And I really do hope that he still has the strength to keep the Church united and to go on and give hope to this world.”
Christopher Lamb, Vatican correspondent of the Catholic magazine The Tablet, said Francis now faced a new moment in his pontificate, but he expected him to continue his pace of reform within the Church.
“The death of Benedict does leave it open for Francis to step down if he wishes, but I wouldn’t bet on it because this Pope really has a lot to accomplish in terms of reforms.”
As soon as the former Pope Benedict XVI’s lying in state at the Vatican starts, tens of thousands of people are anticipated to pay their respects.
He passed away on New Year’s Eve at the age of 95, over ten years after he resigned due to illness.
The funeral will be presided over by Pope Francis on Thursday, marking the first occasion when the reigning pope will officiate at the burial.
The ceremony will be brief, serious, and sober, according to the Vatican.
In 2013, Benedict XVI, who had been pope for 600 years, announced his resignation due to failing health.
People may pay their respects up until 7 p.m. each day while his remains is on display at St. Peter’s Basilica for three days in an open coffin.
Before the Pope Emeritus is buried in the tombs beneath the Basilica, a burial service will be held in St. Peter’s Square.
Pictures of the body wearing red papal mourning clothes and a gold-trimmed mitre were posted by the Vatican on Sunday.
Worldwide tributes have flooded in, and hundreds of people are anticipated to attend the funeral.
Pope John Paul II’s 2005 funeral, which attracted an estimated four million people to Rome, was the last papal funeral and one of the biggest Christian gatherings in history.
The details of the service are not yet known because numerous customs connected to the passing of a pope in office, most notably the choice of a successor, are not necessary.
According to Matteo Bruni, a spokesman for the Vatican, Benedict requested that the funeral be distinguished by simplicity.
Although the Vatican has not disclosed the specifics of the guest list, it has stated that it will include representatives from Italy and Benedict’s native Germany.
Pope Francis paid tribute to his “dearest” predecessor after his death.
US President Joe Biden lauded the former Pope’s “lifetime of devotion to the Church”, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed him as “a great man whom history will not forget”.
In Brazil – the largest Catholic nation in the world – incoming President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he wished “comfort to the faithful and admirers of the Holy Father”.
Pope Benedict was a controversial figure, and some have criticised him for failing to tackle allegations of clerical sexual abuse.
Former Pope of the Catholic Church, Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95.
In a statement by the Vatican News, the Pope is said to have died in the Vatican at 9:34 on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible,” the statement said.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, the late Pope retired prelate of the Catholic Church who served as the head of the Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013.
He was elected Pope of the Catholic Church in 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II.
He chose to be known as “Pope Emeritus” following his resignation in 2013.
His predecessor, Pope Francis, asked for prayers for the Pope Emeritus after announcing that Benedict XVI was “very ill.”
“Let us #PrayTogether for Pope Emeritus Benedict who is supporting the Church in silence. Let us ask the Lord to console him and to sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end,” Pope Francis wrote in a Twitter post.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
