▲ Funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square
epa10390331 An image provided by Vatican Media shows Pope Francis presiding (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 St. Peter’s Square, City of the Vatican, 05 January 2023. The former Pope Benedict XVI died on 31 December 2022 in his Vatican residence, at the age of 95. 2023-01-05
APE Vatican News Yonhap
The former Pope Benedict XVI has rested in eternal rest in the Catacombs of St. Peter’s Basilica.
At 9:30 (local time) on the 5th, the funeral mass of former Pope Benedict XVI was held in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Tens of thousands of people, including Pope Francis, greeted the last of Pope Benedict XVI. A Korean delegation, including Cardinals Yeom Soo-jeong and Yoo Heung-sik, Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek, head of the archdiocese of Seoul, Bishop Lee Yong-hun, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Korea, and Father Shin Woo -shik, the general secretary, also paid tribute to the site.
In the past, the funeral mass of successive popes was officiated by the head cardinal, but the funeral mass of Benedict XVI, who resigned during his lifetime, was officiated by Pope Francis himself. This is the second such occurrence in Church history since Pope Pius VII officiated at the funeral of his predecessor, Pius VI, in 1802. At the time, the funeral was being held three years after the death of a former pope who died after being kidnapped by the Napoleon’s army in France, so the situation was different from now.
In 2013, after eight years on the throne, Benedict XVI voluntarily resigned from the papacy, citing health problems. After 598 years of Catholic history, he abdicated and remained an honorary pope. Benedict XVI has expressed his desire for a simple funeral, but the Vatican has honored the former pope by proceeding almost the same way as the current pope’s funeral mass.
40 minutes before the funeral Mass, the wooden coffin with Benedict XVI was carried in front of the external altar in St. Peter’s Square. Inside the coffin are a pallium (a ring-shaped band of wool) which symbolizes the responsibility and authority of a high-ranking priest, coins and medals minted during the reign of Benedict XVI, and a parchment document containing his achievements during his reign, sealed in an iron cylinder, was guarded
A copy of the Gospel was placed on the coffin. Archbishop Georg Genswein, former longtime personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, paid his respects by kissing an open Gospel.
▲ Funeral Mass of 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, Vatican City, 05 January 2023. The former Pope Benedict XVI died on 31 December 2022 in his Vatican residence, at the age of 95 years. 2023-01-05 19:00:51
APE Vatican News Yonhap
The funeral Mass began with the solemn singing of the Vatican Sistine Choir. Pope Francis, who has a bad knee, sat in a chair next to the altar and officiated the funeral Mass with a heavy expression. Devotees and priests from all over the world wept during mass.
At the end of the mass, Pope Francis said: “God of mercy, I entrust Pope Emeritus Benedict to your mercy. Please welcome him into your heavenly home and let him enjoy eternal glory.”
After Mass, the coffin was brought back to St. The procession stopped in front of Pope Francis, who got up from his chair, made the sign of the cross, raised his hand over the coffin and meditated for a moment.
▲ On the morning of the 5th, in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis (left) observes the papal entourage carrying the coffin after the funeral mass of the former Pope Benedict XVI. The pope’s funeral mass was presided over by the chief cardinal, but this time the current pope himself officiated.
APE Vatican News Yonhap
The former Pope Benedict XVI was buried in the same tomb where his predecessor John Paul II was transferred.
The funeral mass was attended by 125 cardinals, 200 bishops and 3,700 priests. Since Benedict XVI is not a current pope, the Vatican has officially invited only delegations from Italy, to which the Vatican belongs, and from Germany, his home country, to the funeral mass.
In attendance were Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorza Meloni, former Prime Minister Mario Draghi, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Bavarian Prime Minister Marcus Soeder. Royal families such as King Philip of Belgium and Queen Sofia 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 attended the funeral mass from VIP seats in the center of the square. In most countries, the ambassadors of 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, many faithful sang “Make saints immediately!” (Santo Subito!) and they opened signs with the same message written.
Reporter Ryu Jae-min
