Rome
CNN
—
Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, at a funeral attended by tens of thousands of mourners in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday.
The event marked the first occasion in modern times that a pope presided over the funeral of his predecessor, and the first of those who resigned. Benedict, who for the first time in nearly 600 years resigned from his position as pope rather than take up a lifetime office, died in a convent in Vatican City on December 31, at the age of 95.
It was an occasion marked by simplicity, as desired by the former Pope. Father James Martin, who is also a parent, told CNN’s Max Foster and Bianca Nobilo on the CNN Newsroom.
“We have to do the pomp and ceremony for the former pope, but I think it went very well, within the guidelines that Pope Emeritus Benedict wanted.”
According to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, about 50,000 people turned out for the funeral, which took place in St. Peter’s Square, with many of the crowd calling for the Pope to be consecrated as a saint.
Attendance was compared to the estimated 1.1 million at the funeral of Benedict’s predecessor, Pope John Paul II. In 2005 he had 500,000 people in St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding area, and 600,000 people watched him on video screens in the rest of Rome.
John Paul II’s funeral was the largest gathering of heads of state held outside the United Nations. The delegation included his nine monarchs and his seventy presidents and prime ministers.
In the six days between John Paul II’s death and his funeral, an estimated 3 million people attended his final memorial service. 21,000 people passed through St. Peter’s Basilica every hour. His average wait time to see the Pope was 13 hours, and the longest line was his 3 miles.
Photo: Funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI
Dignitaries and religious leaders lined the square, which can hold about 60,000 people, for the ceremony on Thursday.Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala was among those in attendance, according to CNN affiliate CNN Prima.
The ceremony was similar to that of an incumbent pope, but with some changes. Benedict was named Pope Emeritus at his funeral, but some prayers were different, as he was not the reigning Pope when he died.
Francis began officiating Mass on Thursday morning, preaching at about 10:00 am local time (4:00 am ET). Members of the crowd later attended communion.
Benedict’s coffin was carried through the basilica, moved to the Vatican crypt, and buried in the first tomb of John Paul II. After John his Paul II was made a saint, his tomb was emptied and his remains were moved to a chapel within the cathedral.
As Benedict’s coffin was brought to St. Peter’s Basilica, a large crowd was heard chanting “Santo Subito,” calling on Pope Emeritus to become a saint immediately.
“God’s faithful people assembled here now accompany and entrust to him the life of their pastor.
“Like the women of the tomb, we too have come with the scent of gratitude and the balm of hope to show him our undying love once more. We want to do this with the same wisdom, kindness, and devotion that you have bestowed upon us.
“Benedict, faithful friend of the groom, may your joy be perfect now and forever when you hear his voice,” added Francis.
During the burial during the ceremony, webbing was placed around the coffin along with the seals of the apostolic chamber, papal and liturgical celebrations. The cypress coffin was placed in a zinc coffin that was soldered and sealed, followed by a wooden coffin. According to Bruni, he was buried.
The ceremony is expected to conclude at approximately 11:15 AM local time (5:15 AM ET).
Prominent dignitaries, including Queen Sofia of Spain and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are expected to attend the funeral, along with US Ambassador to the United States Joe Donnelly.
Benedict was elected Pope in April 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II. He has moved to soften the Vatican’s position on abortion and homosexuality, and has done much to address the sexual abuse crisis that has engulfed the church in recent years and has overshadowed his successor, Pope Francis. was also known to be conservative.Benedict’s legacy.
The scrolls placed in Pope Benedict XVI’s coffin are a biography of his life, mentioning some of the most important moments during his reign, and citing his categorical pedophilia and ” It reminds me of what I fought.
“He steadfastly fought crimes committed by clerics against minors and the weak, and continued to call upon the church for conversion, prayer, penance and purification,” the scroll reads.
His death was met with condolences from political and religious leaders such as US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Dalai Lama.
Nearly 200,000 mourners, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, paid their respects to the former pope lying in St. Peter’s Basilica earlier this week.
Benedict’s public display ended Wednesday, before an intimate religious ceremony in which items such as coins and medals minted during his tenure and scrolls about the pope were placed in a sealed cypress coffin before his funeral. ended at
Meloni paid tribute to the “wise theologian” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a tweet Thursday.
“Today, in St. Peters, to bid a final farewell to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. A wise theologian who leaves us with a spiritual and intellectual legacy of faith, trust and hope,” Meloni said at the funeral. tweeted after
“We are always tasked with preserving it, honoring it, and passing on its valuable teachings,” she added.
The Italian government announced Wednesday that Italian and European flags will be flown at half-mast in public buildings across Italy on Thursday.
