▲ Funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter‘s Square
epa10390331 A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis presiding over (C) as Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (L) blesses the coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) during the pontiff‘s funeral ceremony in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, 05 January 2023. Former Pope Benedict XVI died on 31 December 2022 at his Vatican residence, at the age 95. 2023-01-05
Vatican EPA Yonhap News
Former Pope Benedict XVI rested in eternal rest in the Catacombs of St Peter’s Basilica.
At 9:30 am (local time) on the 5th, the funeral mass of former Pope Benedict XVI was held in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Tens of thousands of people, including Pope Francis, saw off the last of Pope Benedict XVI. A Korean delegation, including Cardinals Yeom Soo-jeong and Yoo Heung-sik, Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek, the head of the Seoul Archdiocese, Bishop Lee Yong-hun, the chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, and Father Shin Woo-shik, the secretary general, also paid tribute at the site.
In the past, the funeral mass of successive popes was officiated by the chief cardinal, but the funeral mass of Benedict XVI, who resigned while alive, was officiated by Pope Francis himself. This is the second case in church history since Pope Pius VII officiated the funeral of his predecessor, Pius VI, in 1802. At that time, the funeral was held three years following the death of a former pope who died following being kidnapped by Napoleon’s army in France, so the situation was different from now.
In 2013, following eight years on the throne, Benedict XVI voluntarily resigned from the papacy due to health problems. After he abdicated while alive following 598 years in Catholic history, he remained an emeritus pope. Benedict XVI expressed his desire for a simple funeral, but the Vatican honored the former pope by proceeding with almost the same procedure as the funeral mass of the current pope.
40 minutes before the funeral mass, the wooden coffin bearing Benedict XVI was carried in front of the outdoor altar in St. Peter’s Square. Inside the coffin are a pallium (a woolen loop-shaped band) symbolizing the responsibility and authority of a high-ranking priest, coins and medals minted during the reign of Benedict XVI, and a scroll-type document containing his achievements during his reign, sealed in an iron cylinder. it was kept
A copy of the Gospel was placed on the coffin. Archbishop Georg Genswein, former Pope Benedict XVI’s longtime personal secretary, paid tribute to him by kissing an open Gospel.
▲ Funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter‘s Square
epa10390180 A view of the funeral ceremony of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) in Saint Peter‘s Square, in Vatican City, 05 January 2023. Former Pope Benedict XVI died on 31 December 2022 at his Vatican residence, at the age 95. 2023-01-05 19:00:51
Vatican EPA Yonhap News
The funeral Mass began with the solemn chant of the Vatican Sistine Choir. Pope Francis, who has a bad knee, presided over the funeral mass with a heavy expression, sitting on a chair next to the altar. Devotees and priests from all over the world shed tears during Mass.
At the end of the Mass, Pope Francis said, “God of mercy, I entrust Pope Emeritus Benedict to your mercy. I beg you to welcome him into your heavenly abode and let him enjoy eternal glory.”
After Mass, the coffin was carried back to St. The procession paused in front of Pope Francis, who stood up from his chair, crossed his name, placed his hand on the coffin, and meditated for a moment.
▲ On the morning of the 5th, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Pope Francis (left) watches as the papal entourage carries the coffin following the funeral mass of former Pope Benedict XVI. The pope’s funeral mass was presided over by the chief cardinal, but this time the current pope himself officiated.
Vatican EPA Yonhap News
Former Pope Benedict XVI was buried in the very same tomb where his predecessor John Paul II was transferred.
The funeral mass was attended by 125 cardinals, 200 bishops and 3,700 clergy. Since Benedict XVI is not a current pope, the Vatican officially invited only delegations from Italy, where the Vatican belongs, and Germany, his home country, to the funeral mass.
Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorza Meloni, former Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Bavarian Prime Minister Marcus Soeder attended. Royal families such as King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Sophia of Spain, as well as European and African leaders from Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Togo, and Gabon, attended the funeral mass in their personal capacity and watched the funeral mass from the VIP seats in the center of the square. In most countries, ambassadors from the Holy See attended the funeral Mass on behalf of their countries.
About 50,000 Catholics and Roman citizens flocked to the square from all over the world. After the funeral mass, numerous believers chanted “Immediately become saints!” (Santo Subito!) and unfolded placards with the same message written on them.
Reporter Ryu Jae-min
