Funeral of Benedict 16 will have rites similar to those of a pope who stayed in office until he died

The funeral of pope emeritus Benedict 16, who died on Saturday (31), aged 95, will have protocols similar to those of a pope who remained in office until his death, the Vatican announced this Tuesday. The ceremony, which should be presided over by Francisco, is scheduled to start at 9:30 am (5:30 am in Brasilia) on Thursday (5).

Benedict XVI was the first pope to resign in nearly six centuries, raising questions about what rituals and procedures should be followed in the event of the death of an emeritus pope. Matteo Bruni, spokesman for the Vatican, clarified that only minor changes will be made in relation to the funeral of John Paul II, who died in 2005.

The body of Benedict XVI will be placed in a cypress coffin, which in turn will be removed from St. Peter’s Basilica, where the funeral will take place, and taken to the square of the same name, where the funeral will take place.

Following the customs of a papal funeral, coins and medals minted during the pontificate of Benedict XVI will be placed in the coffin, a lead cylinder containing a Latin text describing the German’s deeds, as well as a pallium, the white wool sash worn by a pope on his shoulders.

Afterwards, also as tradition dictates, the coffin with the body of Benedict XVI will be wrapped in two other coffins: the middle one is made of zinc, adorned with a cross, and the outer one is made of elm or walnut and closed with gold nails.

Benedict 16 will be buried in the same crypt where the body of John Paul 2nd was until 2011, when, already beatified, he was taken to another chapel. The burial site fulfills an old German wish.

As on Monday (2), thousands of people faced long queues to honor the pope emeritus this Tuesday. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was among the approximately 70,000 people who paid their respects in St. Peter’s Basilica on the second day of the wake.

The day before, approximately 65,000 people, including the faithful and onlookers, passed through the basilica, according to Vatican police. The queue was organized in São Pedro square, where a control scheme with metal detectors was set up.

The volume is much lower than the public that participated in the farewell ceremonies of Pope John Paul 2nd, when more than 3 million people attended the five days of wake and funeral. On the other hand, it exceeded the public expectations of the local authorities – security bodies in the Italian capital estimated that 35,000 people would pass through the region per day.

“It’s a fitting tribute, very moving and moving. I came yesterday, but I had things to say to him today too,” Loredana Corrao, who lives in Rome, told Reuters news agency. of the Church ended and now we have to go on without him”.

Pope Francis has been carrying out his normal workload since Benedict died. The Argentine pontiff held a series of audiences and meetings this Monday and Tuesday. This Wednesday (4), he should hold his weekly general audience.