The Vatican’s intention is to give him a solemn but sober farewell, respecting the express wish of Benedict XVI.
The emeritus pope Benedict XVIwho died yesterday Saturday at the age of 95, will be fired by the faithful and by his successor, Francisco, during this week, with a three-day burning chapel and a solemn funeral in Saint Peter’s Square.
The rites will begin tomorrow when the remains of the German pontiff are exposed in a three-day funeral chapel in St Peter’s basilica from the Vatican starting at 9:00 local time so that the faithful can say goodbye.
The basilica will remain open for ten hours on Monday, but this period will increase on Tuesday and Wednesdaybecause the faithful will be able to pass before the body of the deceased pope from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Thursday at 9.30 his successor, Francisco, will preside over the funeral in Saint Peter’s Square, in the presence of faithful and official delegations from Italy and Ratzinger’s native Germany. Other authorities may attend in their personal capacity.
Later, the body of the theologian will be buried in the crypt under the basilica of San Pedro, where many other pontiffs from the thousand-year history of the Catholic Church rest.
The intention is to give him a solemn but sober farewell, respecting the express wish of the deceased.
Interest due to lack of regulation
In any case, this funeral rite has aroused great interest, since the Vatican has not yet regulated a protocol to follow in the event of the death of a “pope emeritus”, since Benedict XVI was the first to resign since the time of Gregory XII, six centuries ago.
They will not be a “normal” pontifical obsequies, in fact they will not be followed by a conclave to choose a new pope. Among other things, Ratzinger’s body will not be carried in procession through the square as was done with John Paul II, according to spokesman Matteo Bruni.
One day after his death, it is still unknown if the liturgy will be followed closely and if the strict protocol will be respected and symbolism of other “Petrine” deaths.
For example, it has not been made known if, as tradition dictates, the body of the pope will be welcomed by three coffinss: one of cypress lined with crimson velvet and embedded in another four millimeters thick lead, in turn embedded in another of elm wood.
Bruni also did not clarify whether the so-called “novendiales” will be proclaimed, that is, the nine day mourning period in the church.
Meanwhile, Ratzinger rests in a room decorated with a Nativity scene and a Christmas tree of the Mater Ecclesia Monastery (see main photo), the place where he died on Saturday morning, within the Leonine walls, and where he had resided in retirement since his historic and unexpected resignation.
This Saturday, for example, another question has been cleared: the clothing in which he will be buried.
Benedict XVI will wear the pontifical paraments, the red chasuble or cloak (papal mourning color) over the white tunic, as well as the miter on his head.
But in the first photos released today does not wear the canopythe white wool stole that is worn over the shoulders and that, with the Fisherman’s Ring, represents one of the powers of the see of Peter.
As for his burial place inside the crypt, it is considered that he occupies the tomb in which his ancestor rested, John Paul IIwhose body was later transferred to the surface of the basilica, since 2011 under the altar of the chapel of San Sebastián.
But “it’s not official,” Bruni pointed out.
Everything will be, yes, supervised by Francisco, who this year celebrates ten years in the pontificate as successor to Benedict XVI.
The Holy See spokesman explained that he was the first to go before Ratzinger’s remains in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, after being informed of his death by his personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gänswein.