Benedict's Funeral "with Simplicity"

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Benedict's Funeral "with Simplicity"

gloria.tv | December 31, 2022


Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced that Benedict received the Last Rites on Wednesday afternoon after Holy Mass.

He will lie-in-state in St. Peter’s Basilica from Monday January 2nd till Wednesday January 4th. Benedict XVI’s funeral will be presided by Francis on Thursday, January 5, in St Peter’s Square to allow the most possible people to assist in person.

In accordance with Benedict’s wishes, his funeral rites will take place "with simplicity." Benedict XVI will be buried in the Vatican Grottoes in the tomb of John XXIII, where John Paul II was initially laid to rest.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, who founded the Benedict XVI Institute to make available Joseph Ratzinger’s collected works, told NcRegister.com that Benedict XVI will be remembered as “true doctor of the Church for Today” and a “great thinker.”

Archbishop Georg Gänswein said that Benedict told him in his last hours, “Please pray for me!"

For Gänswein the death means “a great and personal loss,” “I am deeply grateful and at the same time very sad.”

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Benedict XVI: First Photos Laying State

gloria.tv | January 1, 2023


The Vatican shared the first photos of Benedict XVI laying in state.

Benedict’s mortal remains rest in the chapel of the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery dressed in red and gold vestments and wearing a gold miter. Popes are traditionally dressed in red for their funerals.

The former pope holds a rosary in his folded hands.

[Stone]

From Vatican News:


Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s remains will rest at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery until the morning of Monday, 2 January; official visits or public prayers are not foreseen.

From 9am on the same day, Benedict’s body will lie in state in St. Peter’s  Basilica so the faithful can pay their final respects.

On Monday the Basilica will remain open from 9am to 7pm; on Tuesday and Wednesday from 7am to 7pm.