Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Wednesday 22°CThursday 22°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
NewsReligion

Pope and 50,000 mourners say farewell to Benedict

written by cassoscoop January 5, 2023
ShareTweet

Pope Francis has joined pilgrims in St Peter’s Square to preside over the funeral of his predecessor, who resigned from the papacy in 2013.

The dome of St Peter’s basilica at the Vatican was shrouded in mist as the cypress-wood coffin containing Pope Benedict XVI’s body was brought out and placed on the steps.

There was applause from the faithful who had gathered for the funeral.

Benedict was then interred in a tomb beneath the basilica.

Clergy from around the world had come – cardinals in red vestments, nuns and monks in their dark robes.

Pope Francis was brought out on to the dais in a wheelchair.

Latin chants sung by the Sistine Chapel choir echoed across the square.

During the Mass, concelebrated by cardinals, bishops and priests, Pope Francis spoke of “wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years”.

“Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom,” he said referring to Jesus, “may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever.”

Some 50,000 mourners came to the funeral, according to police.

Official delegations were there from Italy and from former Pope Benedict’s home country of Germany.

Other leaders, including the king and queen of Belgium, attended in a private capacity.

Benedict’s death brings to an end the era of a pope and a former pope living side by side in the Vatican – an unprecedented situation brought about by Benedict’s resignation almost a decade ago.

Over the past few days, some 200,000 people came to the Vatican to pay their respects to the former pontiff, as he lay in state in front of the main altar in St Peter’s Basilica.

There was no display of usual papal regalia like the silver staff, a sign that he was no longer Pope when he died.

But in line with tradition, a lead tube containing an account of Benedict’s papacy, as well as other items, including Vatican coins minted during his reign, were placed in the coffin.

At the end of the service, the choir sang “May the angels lead you into paradise.” Pope Francis placed his hand on the wooden coffin in a final prayer, before it was carried away, to be sealed and placed in another coffin of zinc and an outer one of wood.

It was buried in the crypt under St Peter’s Basilica, where Pope John Paul II was originally interred in 2005 before his body was moved up to a chapel, after his beatification.

Pope and 50,000 mourners say farewell to Benedict was last modified: January 5th, 2023 by cassoscoop

Tags:
000 mourners say farewell to BenedictcardinalsPope and 50Pope BenedictPOPE FRANCISROMESistine Chapel choirSt Peter's BasilicaVatican
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Strabane success in promoting Vibrant Town in...

5 mins ago

New baby monitor units arrive at Altnagelvin...

16 hours ago

Build a future in construction on fully...

17 hours ago

Durkan: Executive must act now or more...

19 hours ago

Police appeal over theft of Mercedes van

23 hours ago

Man released over stabbing incident in Derry

23 hours ago

Global talent descends on Derry for the...

23 hours ago

End to programme developed to tackle skills...

24 hours ago

Braidwater Group welcomes £11m funding to unlock...

2 days ago

Portstewart Strand voted best beach in the...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy