VATICAN officials had to sift through historical documents and centuries-old rituals for the rare situation of preparing an elaborate funeral for a “resigned pope.”
The last funeral held for a resigned pope, according to reports, was in the 1400s and this was done without public fanfare.
Pope Gregory XII resigned from his office in 1415 and had opted to live his remaining days outside of Rome.
When he died in 1417, he was buried in Recanati, a town near the northern Adriatic coast.
The situation is different with the controversial and popular Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 95, who died last Saturday.
The former pope resigned from office in 2013 citing his advanced age and health.
The Catholic News Service said during the nearly ten years of retirement of Benedict XVI, they have been asking what plans were in place for funeral rites of the Pope Emeritus. “The question was not appreciated. And the most complete answer was: ‘More than for a cardinal, less than for a pope in office.'” reporter Cindy Wallen wrote.
Now that Benedict XVI has died, the Vatican Press Office had to admit no plans were prepared and that protocols are being developed as they go along with the preparations.
No bells tolling, no half-mast
When Pope emeritus Benedict XVI died last December 31, 2022, the Vatican only made a two-sentence announcement.
There was no solemn announcement by a Vatican monsignor to the faithful in the St. Peter’s Square.
There was also no tolling of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said the bells tolled on Feb. 28, 2013 for Benedict XVI, marking the end of his pontificate.
The Vatican flag was also not flown at half-staff; although some nunciatures have done it.
Only 2 foreign leaders at funeral
It can be recalled that Saint John Paul II was the last pope who died in 2015.
He was laid in state at the Clementine Hall and then was transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
The funeral was attended by monarchs, high-ranking government officials from various countries and millions of Catholics around the world witnessed the televised event.
For the Pope emeritus, since he is no longer a head of state, only countries will send their highest leaders to the funeral — Italy and Germany. However, any public figure can attend the funeral in their private capacity.
Nonetheless, millions of Catholics can still view the procession on live television and online.
No need for Camerlengo
According to tradition, after the death of the Pope, the person in-charge of affairs at the Vatican is the camerlengo or the chamberlain who oversees the conclave or the election of a new pope.
In the case of the death of the resigned pope, there is no need for an election. The chamberlain, who was identified in media reports as Cardinal Kevin Farrell, has no role to play at the moment. There will, however, be a papal master of ceremonies and that would be Monsignor Diego Ravelli.
The pope’s ring
Also noteworthy in this situation at the Vatican are the symbols surrounding the former pope himself.
According to tradition, the pope’s ring that is also known as the Fisherman’s Ring is destroyed. The ring is used to seal official documents.
In the case of Benedict, after his resignation, an “X” was etched on his ring to render it unusable.
No papal regalia
Benedict XVI, it can be observed, is lying in state without the usual papal regalia such as a crosier, a silver staff with a crucifix, and a pallium. The pallium is a band of wool worn by popes and bishops of archdioceses as a symbol of a shepherd for his flock.
The crosier and pallium are symbols only reserved for the Vicar of Christ on Earth, the reigning Pope.
The position of pope as leader of Catholics in different countries is also the bishop of Rome.
According to media reports, Benedict in 2020 voiced his choice to be buried in the former tomb of Saint John Paul II, in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said that the liturgy for the former pope’s funeral will be based mostly on that for a reigning pope. There will be some minor changes in the prayers.
The funeral that will be held in St. Peter’s Square, in front of the basilica, will be presided over by Pope Francis.
Bruni said that it is the former pope’s request that the rites be “simple, solemn and sober.”
The template for future Pope emeritus
One of the major legacies of Benedict XVI is that the Pope can humbly say goodbye to pontificate if he is no longer capable of doing so.
For what it’s worth, these new templates that have been laid down recently may be the new template for the funeral of future popes who would choose the path of retirement.
Photos courtesy Holy See Media
