Vatican City [Italy], January 2: Speaking at a press conference after announcing the death of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI , Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on December 31, 2022 that the "simple but solemn" funeral would take place on January 5. according to AFP.
"According to the will of the Pope emeritus, the funeral will be simple," Bruni told journalists. The late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at 9:34 am on December 31, 2022 at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery of the Vatican, at the age of 95. On the morning of January 2 (local time), the remains will be taken to St Peter's Basilica.
It is expected that about 30,000 people will visit the remains of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI here from January 2 to 4. In addition, about 60,000 people will attend the funeral service at St Peter's Square, located in front of St Peter's Basilica, at 9:30 a.m. on January 5 (about 3:30 p.m. local time), according to The New newspaper. York Times quoted a security official in charge of the city of Rome.
Thursday's funeral will be presided over by Pope Francis, marking the first time in modern history that a sitting pope will preside over the funeral of his predecessor. In addition, papal funerals are usually attended by leaders from all over the world , but the Vatican has announced official delegations will only come from Italy and Germany, the homeland of the late pontiff. attend Benedict XVI, according to Reuters.
Unlike when previous popes died, the Vatican does not need to convene a conclave to elect a new pope, as Pope Francis, chosen as his successor in 2013, remains at the head of the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI officially abdicated on February 28, 2013 due to health reasons after 8 years in office, and became Pope emeritus. That event marked him as the first pope to abdicate since the Middle Ages.
After the announcement of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, many world leaders expressed their condolences, according to The Guardian. In it, US President Joe Biden said that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI "will be remembered as a famous theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the church". Britain's King Charles III praised the Pope emeritus's "relentless efforts to promote peace and kindness to all" while Russian President Vladimir Putin described him as a "prominent and religious figure". a defender of traditional Christian values," according to AFP. In addition, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is "tireless in the pursuit of peace and resolutely defending human rights".
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
