Funeral of Benedict XVI, the first ‘green pope’

Jan 5, 2023 by Jill

by Ruth Peacock, Religion Media Centre:

The funeral takes place in Rome today (5 Jan 2023) of Pope Benedict XVI, who served from 2005 to 2013, when he unexpectedly resigned to live the rest of his life in retirement.

It is expected to be quite different from the funeral of a pope who has died in office, as emotions were expressed 10 years ago when he left the Vatican.

Catholic historian Michael Walsh told a Religion Media Centre briefing that that this would be the first time in history that a current Pope will have conducted the funeral of one who has resigned.

Fewer members of the public are expected in St Peter’s Square and not all the cardinals are predicted to attend. Papal funerals are also a time for cardinals to confer on the successor, which does not apply this time as Pope Francis is in place, although his health is ailing and those conversations are expected.

Journalist and author Catherine Pepinster pointed out that certain elements of the papal funeral ritual will be absent. The bells of St Peter did not toll when Benedict died last week, as they would have done for a serving pope. His papal “fisherman’s ring” would usually be removed, but this has been given up already. The pallium, a long band worn by popes around the shoulders, is not worn by Benedict XVI lying in state.

But the tradition of burying the body in three coffins will be observed, so that the remains are preserved in case they need to be investigated for sainthood.

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Read also: Benedict’s Funeral Mass Omits Roman Canon by Jules Gomes, Church Militant