How about Benedict XVI’s historic funeral in St. Peter’s Square?

Vatican City.- The Pope Francisco He will preside next Thursday, January 5 His ancestor’s funeral, Benedict XVI, dead man This Saturday at age 95. This was announced by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, who expected it to be a simple ceremony.

“On Thursday, January 5, at 9:30 A.M. (5.30 from Argentina) The funeral will take place In St. Peter’s Square, what It will be presided over by His Holiness the PopeBruni said. “As per the Father’s wishes, the funeral will take place Very simply“, he added.

For the first time in the thousand-year history of the Catholic Church A reigning pope will preside over the funeral of another popeThis time Benedict XVI died in his residence inside the Vatican, without activities.

Papal body from 2005 until his abdication in 2013. It will be exposed from Monday at the Basilica of San Pedro To be adored by believers.

According to experts in religious affairs, there is no specific protocol for the death of a Pope Emeritus.His funeral will be similar to that of a serving pope “But without a convention” and “without blank stare”.

“Funeral Mass of a Pope Emeritus Funeral Mass of a Bishop Emeritus of Rome”Church historian Alberto Melloni said the situation was not entirely unprecedented. Diocese around the world are figuring out how to properly honor retired bishops.

At the time, The corpse is in plain sight On a relaxed seela with worship clothes. A few hours before his burial The other two will be placed in a covered coffin: exterior, in elm wood; The middle one is made of lead, and the inner one is made of cypress wood.

A place of refuge located next to the catacombs of San Pedro Reserved to house the body of Benedict XVIUnless he buried the instructions elsewhere.

The Apostolic Constitution was promulgated according to the terms established by Dominici Gregis John Paul II In 1996, Francisco was about to decree official mourning. Cardinals around the world will celebrate the Eucharist for their eternal rest on those days.

The Holy See released the schedule for Benedict XVI’s official farewell this afternoon (local time):

Pope Francis issued a warning about Benedict XVI’s health, 95, said he was “very ill” when asked for a special prayer for his predecessor during his Wednesday public audience. Francisco later visited him In the monastery where he lived, in the Vatican garden. The spokesperson confirmed that his condition was deteriorating.

Few can forget the long line of pilgrims who came to bid farewell to Saint John Paul II when he died in 2005.

When Benedict XVI announced his retirement in 2013, he opened uncharted pontifical territory. From its title, “Pope Emeritus”Until his decision to retain the papal white box, he made most of it A new playbook featuring the reigning pope and the retiring pope.

AFP and AP agencies

Nation