Pope Francis To Celebrate Benedict XVI Funeral Mass January 5

December 31, 2022
Pope Francis To Celebrate Benedict XVI Funeral Mass January 5

In what has been termed ‘unprecedented’ in history, a living Pope, Francis, will be in charge of the funeral mass of late Pope Benedict the XVI who died on December 31st 2022.

Vatican authorities announced on Saturday that Pope Francis 85 will be in charge of the funeral mass which will take place by 9:30 A.M. on Thursday January 5, 2023, in Saint Peter’s Square.

Usually in the Catholic Church tradition, when the Pope dies, there is a formal procedure that is followed.

The Pope’s Chief of staff also known as Camerlengo, or Chamberlain is in charge of the entire process which includes:

Certifying his death, arranging for the body to lie in state, organising a funeral and preparing for the election of a successor.

But this case is different in the sense that Pope Benedict the 16th resigned as a Pope in 2013 paving the way for a new Pope which ushered in the era of Pope Francis.

This simply means history was bound to happen for a living Pope to bury his predecessor.

The last Pope to step down was Gregory XII who died far a way from Rome in 1417. He was not given the normal Papal burial rites.

The death of Benedict the 16th will bring in new procedures and protocols for the Church authorities to follow in saying farewell to a formal Pope that will be buried by his successor.

The body of Pope Benedict will be lying in state from Monday January 2 in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome for many to bid their farewell.

In accordance with his wish, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict’s burial “will be carried out under the sign of simplicity,” Matteo Bruni, Vatican’s spokesman said.

John Adoyi, PBA Journalism Mentee
+ posts

Featured Stories

Latest from World News

Starmer Eyes Billions in Extra Defence Spending

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly exploring plans to accelerate the UK’s defence spending, potentially committing billions of pounds more than previously planned. Downing Street sources say the proposals aim to meet an existing target of 3% of gross domestic product
Previous Story

Top 8 Memorable Sporting Moments Of 2022

Next Story

Cardinal Arinze Pens Handwritten Tribute To Late Pope Benedict XVI

Don't Miss

Akpabio’s Comment At Wigwe’s Funeral Insensitive - Peterside

Akpabio’s Comment At Wigwe’s Funeral Insensitive – Peterside

Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, has berated
NLC Demands Reversal Of 50% Telecom Tariff Hike, Threatens Nationwide Shutdown

NLC Demands Reversal Of 50% Telecom Tariff Hike, Threatens Nationwide Shutdown

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticised the recent