Pope Benedict XVI is buried in the Vatican

Pope Emeritus Benedict 16 was buried this Thursday (Jan 5, 2023) in the Vatican. Him died on December 31, 2022aged 95. Your body he was buried in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica that belonged to John Paul II.

The burial was preceded by a funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square and then by a private ceremony in the Basilica.

Here are the images of the coffin being prepared for burial:

Here are the images of the coffin being taken inside the Basilica of Saint Peter after the funeral mass:

The funeral began at 5:30 am (Brasília time). The mass was presided over by Pope Francis – this was the first time that an acting pope presided over the funeral ceremony of his predecessor. Due to his health, Francis had the help of Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, in the celebration.

According to the Italian media, more than 50,000 people occupied the available seats in St. Peter’s Square. There were still people outside the delimited space and in the streets around the site – in addition to 120 cardinals, 400 bishops and about 3,700 priests from around the world. Authorities and 1,000 journalists also participated.

In his speech, Francis asked that his predecessor be “well received by God”. At the end of his speech he said: “Bento, faithful friend of the Spouse, may your joy be complete in hearing His voice, now and forever!”

Benedict XVI’s coffin, made of cypress wood, was closed in a ritual performed on the night of Wednesday (4.jan). Following tradition, the pallium of the pope emeritus, coins and medals minted during his pontificate, and a lead tube with a Latin scripture listing the key points of his time at the head of the Catholic Church were placed next to the body.

Before being buried, the cypress coffin was placed inside 2 others: one of zinc and one oak.

Watch the moment the coffin is carried out of St. Peter’s Basilica for the funeral to begin:

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s coffin is carried to St. Peter’s Square. pic.twitter.com/gLtgjQkt0h

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) January 5, 2023

BENTO 16

Joseph Ratzinger was 95 years old and was born in Bavaria, Germany. He was nominated in 2005 to succeed Pope John Paul II.

After 7 years, in 2013, the pontiff resigned from the papacy in 2013 saying that his fragile health and advanced age would not be up to the demands of the office. It was the first resignation of a pope in over 600 years.

During the period that he presided over the Catholic Church, Ratzinger visited Brazil in 2007. On the occasion, he went to the Sanctuary of Aparecida, in São Paulo. In addition, he inaugurated the General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate, responsible for the canonization (a ritual in the Catholic Church that says who becomes a saint) of the 1st Brazilian saint, Frei Galvão.

In September 2021, the pontiff released a booko “Real Europe”in which he criticized same-sex marriage.