The Roman Catholic church has had a sad 2023 new year celebration following the demise of Pope Benedict XVI on December 31, 2022. The Pope astonished the whole world when he publicly announced his resignation on February 11, 2013 citing lacking in strength and gusto to lead the vast faithful of the Roman Catholic church. This went into the records as being the first of its kind resignation of a pontiff. With this alone, the pope emeritus curved his peculiar mark in the annals of history. So on Thursday 5, 2022, the Pope again would become a subject of publicity as his priestly casket, made in the customary ways of the Vatican, went down his tomb in the Vatican Grottoes. Catholics can only keep the memories of Pope Benedict XVI and wait upon the consecration of his soul.
Pope Benedict’s XVI was one of the ruling monarchs of Vatican City and a leader of the Roman Catholic Church until his record-breaking resignation on 28th February 2013. Having lived 95 years, Pope Benedict breathed his last and went into the long list of the Popes buried as per the doctrine and procedures for interment of the Popes at the Vatican. He was elected Pope in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict preferred to be called Pope Emeritus, a title he retained till his death.
Key Achievements of of Pope Benedict XVI
Having served as the Pope for eight years before his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI has so much under his sleeves to be written home about. But let’s recap a few of the many things that we can remember about this noble German who took over the papacy and resigned in a remarkable way in 2015.
- Admitted into priesthood 1951
- Got an honorary doctorate of theology at the University of Munich in 1953
- Ascended to papacy in 2005 and served until 2013 when he resigned
- Championed in the reform of climate change
- Campaigned earnestly for the rights of refugees
Sad but Colorful burial of Pope Benedict XVI
The burial of Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican Grottoes did not in any significant way vary from that of the predecessors whose bodies have been entered under the St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. With teary faces, friends, relatives, religious devotees, politicians, all and sundry gathered at the requiem mass for Pope Benedict XVI. As Pope Francis led the last of the celebration of Benedict’s 95 years on earth, we all wondered how and where the body will be buried.
For those who may be aware, the burial of Popes at the Vatican should never come as a surprise as the whole procedure always follows a set procedure contained in the rituale Romanum. Rituale Romanuman is the official book meant for liturgical services and rituals.
There are reasons for some exceptions regarding the mourning rituals and funeral service of Pope Benedict XVI. The biggest reason being his resignation from office which was unexpected and uncalled for. There are various norms in Vatican City which characterizes a Pope’s send off from the time of his death till he is interred.
Some highlights of the norms that surround the death of a Pope
- Pronouncement of death usually done in Latin
- Tolling of the bell has to happen
- The body remains untouched with his apartment remaining shut
- Vatican shares the news to the whole world later on
- The body is ferried to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing
- Burial of the body at the Vatican Grottoes using the three coffins
- Novemdiales– the nine day period of mourning
- The destruction of the ‘fisherman’s ‘ring
How the mourning rituals and funeral of the Pope conform to the norms of Vatican
Public viewing
The body of Pope Benedict XVI was taken to St Peter’s Basilica. This gave an ample opportunity for everyone who could to view the deceased pope. Here, heads of state, dignitaries, cardinals and the Roman Catholic faithful managed to give their final respects.
The burial date
The Vatican norms require that the funeral happens between the fourth and sixth day after the occurrence of death. Benedict’s funeral lies on the fifth day therefore conforming to this norm
The burial location
The body of Pope Benedict XVI was laid to rest in the Vatican Grottoes of St Peter’s Basilica. The fact that sitting Popes select their preferred location of burial didn’t cut out Benedict. This then made it to conform to Vatican burial norm. The Grottoes of St Peter’s Basilica also served as the the same of interrment for Pope John Paul II.
Burial using three coffins
One of the norms of burying a pope in the Vatican is through the use of a three in one coffin. The inner coffin consists of cypress and shut with red ribbons. The immediate coffin is a little bit larger and decked with the sign of a cross. The outermost casket is of walnut enclosed with golden nails. With the significance of the three coffins not clearly perceived, Pope Benedict will be laid in such a coffin to honor the rite.
How different the mourning rituals and funeral service of Benedict Benedict XVI
Tolling of the bell
For a sitting pope the bells of St Peter’s Basilica would have been tolled upon the death of the pope. However, this was not the case upon the death of Pope Benedict XVI because of his resignation from office. Vatican’s regular bells which ring every hour were silent since his passing on
The officiating minister of the funeral service
Funeral services are often presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals. For this funeral, the sitting pope and Monarch, Pope Francis will take charge. This will be a historic gesture because rarely does a Pope celebrate the mass of his predecessor
Period of mourning
After the burial of a Pope at the Vatican Grottoes, a nine day period of mourning also known as novemdiales passes. During this period, the residents of Vatican City can extend their mourning. This will not be the case for Benedict as the nine day period of mourning could not be the case anymore. This norm dates back to the ancient Roman period.
Smashing of the fisherman’s ring
This ring also serves as part of the attire that the Pope wears. In the ancient times it was smashed to discourage illegal documents including forged ones being issued when the papal seat was left vacant. Currently, the smashing of the ring signifies the end of a ruling regime. Benedict already destroyed the ring when he resigned hence there was no repeat of the same.
