Rome CNN –
Pope Francis paid tribute this Thursday to his predecessor, former Pope Benedict XVI, in a funeral in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City marked by pomp and tradition.
The funeral marked the first time in modern times that a pontiff had presided over the funeral of his predecessor. Benedict, the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to resign from office, rather than serve for life, died at the age of 95 on December 31 in a monastery in Vatican City.
Dignitaries and religious leaders lined the plaza, which can hold about 60,000 people, for the ceremony. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala was among those in attendance, according to CNN affiliate CNN Prima.
The ceremony was similar to that of a reigning pope but with some modifications. Benedict was named pope emeritus during the funeral, and the language of some prayers was different because he was not the reigning pope when he died.
Francis began leading mass on Thursday morning, during which he delivered a homily around 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET). Later, members of the crowd participated in a communion.
“The faithful people of God, gathered here, now accompany and entrust the life of their shepherd,” Francis said as he delivered the homily.
“Like the women of the tomb, we have also come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, to show him once more the love that is eternal. We want to do it with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years. Together, we want to say: ‘Father, into your hands we entrust his spirit’.
“Benedict, faithful friend of the bridegroom, may your joy be complete as you listen to his voice, now and forever,” Francis added.
Afterwards, Benedict’s coffin will be transported through the basilica and to the Vatican crypt for burial, in the first tomb of John Paul II.
The tomb was dislodged after the body of John Paul II and the remains were moved to a chapel inside the basilica after he became a saint.
At the time of the burial during the rite, a ribbon will be placed around the coffin with the seals of the apostolic chamber, the pontifical house and the liturgical celebrations. The cypress coffin will be placed inside a zinc coffin that is welded and sealed, and later placed inside a wooden coffin, which will be buried.
The ceremony is expected to end around 11:15 a.m. local time (5:15 a.m. ET).
High-profile dignitaries including Queen Sofia of Spain and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will attend the funeral, along with US Ambassador to the Holy See Joe Donelly.
Benedict was elected pope in April 2005 after the death of John Paul II. He was known to be more conservative than his successor, Pope Francis, who has taken steps to soften the Vatican’s stance on abortion and homosexuality, as well as doing more to tackle the sex abuse crisis than has surrounded the church in recent years and clouded it. Benedict’s legacy.
The scroll that was placed inside the coffin of Pope Benedict XVI, which is a biography of his life and mentions some of the most important moments of his mandate, remembers that he fought “firmly” against pedophilia.
“He firmly fought against crimes committed by members of the clergy against minors or vulnerable people, continuously calling the Church to conversion, prayer, penance and purification,” the scroll said.
His death prompted tributes from political and religious leaders including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Dalai Lama.
Some 200,000 mourners, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, paid their respects to the former pontiff earlier this week during his lie-in-state at St Peter’s Basilica.
Benedict’s public viewing ended on Wednesday, before an intimate religious rite during which items including coins and medals minted during his tenure and a scroll on the pontificate were placed in his sealed cypress coffin before the funeral.
Francis paid tribute to his predecessor during an audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.
“I would like us to join those here on our side who pay their respects to Benedict XVI, and direct my thoughts to him, a great teacher of catechesis,” he said.
“May he help us to rediscover in Christ the joy of believing and the hope of living.”