Joseph Ratzinger, the spokesman for the Holy See was told, wanted a “simple” funeral ceremony for himself and that he be buried in the tomb where John Paul II’s remains were before being transferred to the Chapel of São Sebastião , on the ground floor of St. Peter’s Basilica. However, the fact that he was pope emeritus – an anomaly in the pontificate’s thousand-year history – meant that the protocol and rite had to be adapted by a group of specialists for a ceremony with unprecedented contours in more than 200 years.
The Holy See and Pope Francis were in an uneasy position to, on the one hand, accommodate the expressed wish of the deceased and pay him due respect, taking into account his importance as a former spiritual leader of Catholics and former head of state – anyway of the appraisals of his estate. The contrast with the funeral ceremony of John Paul II, presided over by the then Cardinal Ratzinger, will be enormous, not only because of the large turnout at the time – it is believed to have been the largest gathering ever held at the Vatican – but also because of the presence of dozens of heads of state and government, including dignitaries.
Now 60,000 people are expected, and as for the official guests, only the presidents, prime ministers and other leaders of Ratzinger’s homeland, Germany, and that where the Vatican State was founded, Italy. However, and on a “personal basis”, several dignitaries attend the funeral service, including the heads of state of Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania and the monarchs of Belgium.
3 coffins. Benedict XVI’s body will be buried in a cypress wood coffin, which in turn is in a zinc coffin and, finally, a third, an elm coffin, sealed with gold nails.
After the theologian’s body had lain in a burning room in St. Peter’s Basilica for three days, it was placed in a coffin, along with various papal objects, such as robes, coins and medals, and a lead case with a Latin script with the key points of his pontificate. This ceremony was held in the presence of some close people, such as his secretary, the German archbishop Georg Ganswein – who has meanwhile announced a book in which he will reveal the “dark maneuvers that tried to cast a shadow over the pope”.
At 8:45 a.m. on Thursday (one hour less in Lisbon), the papal lords will carry the coffin in procession out of the basilica and place it on the steps opposite St. Peter’s Square, where those present will pray the rosary. The funeral service, presided over by Pope Francis, will begin 45 minutes later.
The last time a pope celebrated his predecessor’s funeral was in 1802. In 1798, Pius VI had been captured by Napoleonic troops, who had taken him from the Vatican to France, where he died the following year. When Napoleon rehearsed a rapprochement with his successor, Pius VII, the remains of the imprisoned Pope were sent to Italy, after receiving a burial ceremony presided over by the Pope.
149 popes. Benedict XVI is the 149th of the 265 popes to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica. The remains of 91 remain in the caves, while the canonized were transferred to nobler places.
Today, the rite is largely the same as that of a pope’s burial, but there are some differences, such as, for example, the reference to “pope emeritus”, or the lack of entreaties from the Diocese of Rome and the Eastern Church. Churches at the time of the burial. said the Vatican spokesman.
At the start of the ceremony, the Pope will stand in front of the coffin, facing the crowd. After that, Francisco will take a seat next to the altar and preside from there, taking into account that the health of his knee prevents him from standing for a long time. The Argentine Jesuit delivers the homily of the Eucharist. The celebrant standing at the altar is the Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
At the end of the Mass, in a private ceremony, the Rite of Last honorable mention (last order) and farewell (goodbye), and Francisco sprinkles the urn with holy water. He will then say in Latin: “Merciful Father, we commend to your grace the Emeritus Pope Benedict, whom you have made successor to Peter and Shepherd of the Church, fearless preacher of your word and faithful servant of the divine mysteries. “
National mourning and Zen moment
National mourning and bells ringing
The Portuguese government has today declared a day of national mourning for the death of Benedict XVI, following the decree issued by the president of the republic the day before. The bishop of Aveiro, António Moiteiro, called for bells to be rung in parish churches at the time of Benedict XVI’s funeral. In addition, the dioceses of the Algarve, Angra do Heroísmo, Évora and Porto celebrate masses in his memory in their respective cathedrals, following what has already happened in other dioceses.
Portuguese presence
In addition to the delegation of the Catholic Church, consisting of Bishop José Ornelas, President of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, and Cardinals António Marto and Manuel Clemente, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will personally attend the funeral, albeit in a personal capacity. “representation of the state”. For the ceremony, the Holy See invited only two official delegations, one from Italy and one from Germany.
Cyril absent, Zen present
Patriarch Cyril of the Russian Orthodox Church – who escaped EU sanctions due to Hungary’s blockade – did not travel to Rome, but sent two representatives. His positions in defense of the invasion of Ukraine led to disagreements with Francis. Cardinal Joseph Zen, from Hong Kong, was granted legal permission to travel. The non-year-old was arrested for helping the pro-democracy movement and his passport was confiscated.
Source: DN
