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Despite the no-fly zone and tens of thousands of believers, it should be a simple funeral service for the retired Pope.
The Vatican regulates in detail what to do when a pope dies. However, almost all regulations relate to the death of an incumbent pope. With the funeral services and the burial of Benedict XVI. the Vatican enters new protocol territory.
When will the funeral services take place? The body of the Pope Emeritus will be laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday. Believers can say goodbye there. The basilica is open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On Thursday, January 5th, the requiem, i.e. the funeral mass, will take place in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis will celebrate this service – that one pope buries another is a novelty. The celebration begins at 9:30 am.
Where is the body buried? After the celebration in St. Peter’s Square, Benedict will be buried in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica alongside several other popes. The German wanted to be buried at the spot where John Paul II had first found his resting place after his death, before the Pole was taken to a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica after his beatification.
Legend:
The crypt of the Vatican where Benedict XVI. is to be buried. The crypts consist of several large underground vaults. More than 20 of the 164 papal tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica are located here near the tomb of the Apostle Peter.
Keystone/EPO
How elaborate will the ceremony be? Benedict XVI wished for a simple celebration for his own funeral service before his death. The spokesman for the Holy See, Matteo Bruni, said on Saturday. The Requiem on St. Peter’s Square will therefore be “solemn but simple”. For security reasons, a no-fly zone will be declared over the Vatican during the celebrations.
Who will come to the funeral? It will be interesting to see which political dignitaries will arrive. Recent developments surrounding decades of abuse scandals cast a shadow over the life and work of the former pope. This could cause some politicians not to travel to Rome.
Benedict XVI – his life in pictures
However, two official foreign delegations have already been invited: one from Benedict’s homeland of Germany, from where Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has already announced his arrival; the other from Italy. In addition, many cardinals – especially those whom Benedict himself had brought into the College of Cardinals during his pontificate – will be present in Rome.
How many believers are expected? Believers can attend the celebration without having to purchase tickets to the event. The city of Rome expects up to 60,000 people to attend the funeral service. The prefect of the Italian capital, Bruno Frattasi, said on Saturday, according to the Ansa news agency. From Monday to Wednesday, when Benedict’s body is publicly laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica, up to 35,000 people are expected every day, said Frattasi.