After the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. (†95) are now preparing for the funeral service. The whole procedure was already planned before his death.
From next Monday, Benedict will be laid out in public in St. Peter’s Basilica, so that the faithful there can say goodbye to him. The basilica is open on Mondays from 9am to 7pm and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7am to 7pm. The prefect of Rome expects up to 35,000 visitors to the cathedral every day.
60,000 people are expected for the funeral service in Rome
On Thursday 5 January, the requiem, the funeral mass, will take place on Sint-Pietersplein. Pope Francis (86) will celebrate this service. That one pope buries the other is a novelty. The party starts at 9:30 am. According to the Vatican, believers can participate without having to buy tickets. About 60,000 people are expected.
A number of provisions of the constitution, such as the continuation of official business, do not need to be applied after Benedict’s death, because Pope Francis is in office and so there is no vacancy in the seat – i.e. no vacant papal chair.
Two official foreign delegations have been invited: one from Benedict’s home country of Germany, from where Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (66) has already announced; the other from Italy. As pope, Benedict was automatically bishop of the Italian capital Rome. In addition, many cardinals – especially those whom Benedict himself brought into the College of Cardinals during his pontificate – are expected in Rome.
Benedict wanted a simple funeral service
According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, Benedict had wanted a simple funeral service and interment. This wish is coming true, according to Bruni. After the celebration in St. Peter’s Square, Benedict is buried with several other popes in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The German had wanted to be buried where John Paul II had first found his final resting place after his death, before the Pole was taken to a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica after his beatification. (SDA)