Pope Benedict’s Funeral To Be Similar To Reigning Pope With Three-Coffin Burial

Pope Benedict’s funeral has been likened to that of a reigning pope, with a three-coffin burial, even though he had resigned from his position nearly a decade ago. The late pontiff died at the age of 95 on Saturday, with a three-day lying-in-state view that took place on Monday. The situation raised questions regarding the funeral’s procedure as it was uncommon for the current pope to oversee the burial of one that had retired.

Tradition rituals skipped after Pope Benedict's passing

Sources from the Catholic News Agency said the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was unlike that of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, as no announcement in St. Peter’s Square was made nor was there a peal of bells. Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican Press Office reported Pope Benedict’s passing. He told reporters that the funeral will be held “under the sign of simplicity” as this was the wish of Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict to have simple funeral

He added that the pontiff requested everything regarding the funeral along with its other gestures and celebrations during this time of mourning to be kept simple. The remains of Pope Emeritus will remain at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican after his death, which was his residence since his retirement back in 2013.

A written account of Benedicts XVI's papacy will be placed beside his body in his coffin for burial, said Vatican officials on Tuesday. Other items will also be placed inside his coffin, including Vatican-minted coins from his time as Pope.

When and how to watch the funeral

“The coffin will be closed with a special rite,” said Bruni, after the public viewing was concluded. He announced that Benedict XVI's body would be placed inside a coffin that was flown in from cypress, then put into a zinc coffin, which would then be placed inside a wooden casket. His funeral will be held on Thursday at St. Peter's Square, 9:30 a.m. local time. The funeral rites will be broadcast live on cable television via EWTN and can be viewed in the U.S. beginning at 2:30 a.m., Eastern Time. The broadcast will also be simultaneously shown on EWTN's YouTube Channel as well as its Facebook page and its official website. The funeral coverage will approximately run for three and a half hours.

Pope Benedict was born in Germany in a small village in the state of Bavaria and was the first pope in 600 years to retire instead of serving his remaining years as the head of the Church as other pontiffs had done. His personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein said Pope Benedict’s last words were “Signore, ti amo!” or “Lord, I love you” as pronounced in Italian.