The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Pope Benedict XVI funeral a mix of ancient rituals and new precedents

Key updates
Mixed reaction on the pope’s tribute to Benedict
Brief funeral highlights unusual nature of retired pope sendoff
A final farewell between two popes
Pope Francis presided at the funeral on Jan. 5 in St. Peter's Square for his predecessor former Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died at the age of 95. (Video: Reuters)
By
and 
Updated January 5, 2023 at 11:33 a.m. EST|Published January 5, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. EST
Listen
1 min

VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church conducted a historic funeral Thursday for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, using a mix of ancient rituals and new precedents for a figure who transformed the papacy with his decision 10 years ago to retire.

Pope Francis presided over the 90-minute ceremony, a stripped-down farewell in which he paid tribute to his predecessor with a homily light on personal touches and heavy on verse, mentioning Benedict’s name only once. Afterward, as Benedict was being carried away by pallbearers, Francis — standing with the help of a cane — put his hand on the casket for a final goodbye.

Mixed reaction on the pope’s tribute to Benedict
Brief funeral highlights unusual nature of retired pope sendoff
A final farewell between two popes

Here’s what to know

  • Francis’s homily drew some backlash from conservatives, who felt that the pope did not adequately capture Benedict’s legacy. It is likely to deepen the debate about how the two figures got along.
  • The Vatican estimates roughly 50,000 people attended the ceremony, about one-sixth of the crowd from the previous papal funeral, in 2005.
  • Benedict, who died Saturday at age 95, was buried after the funeral in the grottoes of St. Peter’s Basilica, in a spot that previously held the remains of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican confirmed.
Press Enter to skip to end of carousel

Here's what to know:

Francis’s homily drew some backlash from conservatives, who felt that the pope did not adequately capture Benedict’s legacy. It is likely to deepen the debate about how the two figures got along.
The Vatican estimates roughly 50,000 people attended the ceremony, about one-sixth of the crowd from the previous papal funeral, in 2005.
Benedict, who died Saturday at age 95, was buried after the funeral in the grottoes of St. Peter’s Basilica, in a spot that previously held the remains of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican confirmed.

1/3

End of carousel
Live contributors
Press Enter to skip to end of carousel
ChicoHarlan
AdelaSuliman

1/2

End of carousel
Loading...