The emeritus pope Benedict XVIwho died on Saturday at the age of 95, rests in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery of the Vatican dressed in the pontifical red chasuble but without a canopy, in his first images released this Sunday by the Holy See itself.
Ratzinger, pope between 2005 and 2013, when he voluntarily resigned from his ministry, is privately veiled in that monastery waiting for his funeral chapel to open tomorrow in St. Peter’s Basilica and his funeral to take place on Thursday.
After his death, it was unknown what protocol would be followed, since the German pope was the only one to resign in six centuries of history, but little by little it is becoming clear how the funeral ritual will take place. Pope Francis is “closely following” everything related to the acts, in fact, according to what he has learned, he was one of the first people who went to see Benedict XVI once his death had become known.
First images of the mortal remains of Benedict XVI
The first images of Benedict XVI released this Sunday by the Holy See shown lying in a room of the monastery, lying on two cushions, under a large crucifix and next to a lighted candle, a Christmas tree and a Bethlehem Portal. The Christmas tree, like most of the room, is decorated with red colors. In the Bethlehem, the place where the baby Jesus is lying is illuminated.
The pope wears several of the pontifical vestments, such as the white cassock and the red chasuble, in his hands has a rosary and on his head the miter, reports efe.
The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI rests in the chapel of the Mater Ecclesiae monastery
However, in these photographs he is not wearing the pallium, the white woolen stole with black crosses, the liturgical symbol of jurisdiction. His predecessor, John Paul II, did take him to his funeral chapel in 2005. palliumtogether with the so-called Fisherman’s Ring, symbolizes the pontifical power and they are received at the mass for the beginning of the magisterium by the popes after their election.
The details of this week’s rituals remain to be known, although Ratzinger’s body is not expected to be carried in procession through St. Peter’s Square, Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni said today. At the funeral of John Paul II about 300,000 filled the streets of the Vatican and more than a million and a half faithful came to Rome for the event.
[La muerte de Benedicto XVI allana el camino para la renuncia de Francisco: “No sería una catástrofe”]
The funeral will naturally be presided over by Francisco in Saint Peter’s Square and will be solemn but “sober” by the express will of the deceased. Yes, it has been confirmed, however, that it will rest in the crypt of the Vatican basilicalike other bishops of Rome in the past.
