LAYING A POPE TO REST
THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 44, NO. 21 | JANUARY 13, 2023
At funeral, pope remembers Benedict’s ‘wisdom, tenderness, devotion’
CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING
Pallbearers carry the casket of Pope Benedict XVI into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican at the conclusion of his funeral Mass Jan. 5.
Pope Francis presides over the funeral Mass of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Jan. 5. By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI “spread and testified to” the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor’s funeral Mass. “Like the women at the tomb, we too have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, in order to show him once more the love that is
undying. We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years,” Pope Francis said in his homily. The Mass in St. Peter’s Square was the first time in more than 200 years that a pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor. Pope Pius VII had celebrated the funeral of Pius VI in 1802 when his remains were returned to Rome after he died in exile in France in 1799. Pope Benedict, who had retired in 2013, had requested his funeral be
simple; the only heads of state invited to lead delegations were those of Italy and his native Germany. However, many dignitaries — including Queen Sofia of Spain and King Philippe of Belgium — and presidents and government ministers representing more than a dozen nations were in attendance, as were most of the ambassadors to the Holy See. Members of the College of Cardinals sat on one side of the casket, while, on the other side, sat special guests, including the late pope’s closest collaborators
CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA
as well as representatives of the Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and U.S. evangelical communities. Jewish and Muslim organizations also sent delegations. Pope Francis presided over the Mass and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the altar. Some 120 cardinals, another 400 bishops and 3,700 priests concelebrated. The vestments and stoles were red in keeping with the >> See “FUNERAL” on page 10