Monday, January 2, 2023 | 10:15 a.m.
Starting this Monday, Catholics will be able to pay their respects in the Vatican to former Pope Benedict XVI, whose body will rest in a state chapel for three days in St. Peter’s Basilica before his funeral.
The rites of the burning chapel, which began at 9 in the morning (local time), will be extended for three days so that the faithful can say goodbye.
The basilica will remain open for ten hours this Monday, but this period will increase on Tuesday and Wednesday, as the faithful will be able to pass before the body of the deceased pope from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (local time).
On Thursday at 9:30 a.m., his successor, Francisco, will preside over the funeral in Saint Peter’s Square, in the presence of the faithful, official delegations from Italy and Ratzinger’s native Germany, as well as other authorities that are expected to be summoned.
The German theologian, who died on Saturday at the age of 95, led the Catholic Church for eight years before becoming the first pope in six centuries to resign in 2013.
After the funeral, his remains will be entombed in the tombs under St. Peter’s Basilica.
Benedict died in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery inside the Vatican gardens, which had been his home for the past decade.
His body was transferred early Monday morning to the basilica where, for three days during daylight hours, the faithful will be able to say goodbye.
The Vatican on Sunday released photos of his corpse, dressed in red papal mourning robes and a gold-edged miter on his head, on a catafalque in the monastery chapel.
The surprise resignation of Benedict XVI created the extraordinary situation of having two “men in white,” himself and Francis, in the Vatican.
His funeral will also break new ground.
Papal deaths usually trigger the calling of a conclave of cardinals to choose a successor, but this time Francis remains in office and will direct the proceedings.
Benedict XVI’s funeral will be “solemn but simple,” the Vatican said, after which he will be buried in the papal tombs under St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican has yet to release details of the guest list, beyond saying it will include delegations from Italy and Benedict XVI’s native Germany.
faithful servant
The last papal funeral, of John Paul II in 2005, drew a million worshipers and heads of state from around the world, though Benedict was a more divisive figure.
A brilliant theologian, he alienated many Catholics with his staunch defense of traditional values and, as pope, worked to assert his authority over the church while battling a series of crises, including over clergy sexual abuse.
His successor has a very different figure, an Argentine Jesuit who feels more at home among his flock and has sought to forge a more compassionate church.
Pope Francis paid tribute to Benedict at three New Year’s events at the Vatican over the weekend, “thanking God for the gift of this faithful servant of the Gospel and of the Church.”
Francisco, 86, raised the possibility of following Benedict’s example and resigning if he is unable to carry out his duties.
In July, after suffering knee problems that have forced him to rely on a wheelchair, he admitted that he needed to slow down or think about pulling over.
Last month, Francisco revealed that he had signed a letter of resignation when he took office in case his poor health prevented him from carrying out his duties.
