LORD, I LOVE YOU
Benedict died at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery where he had lived for the past decade, his last words in the early hours of Saturday said by the Vatican to have been “Lord, I love you!”
His body will lie in state for three days, with members of the public allowed in during the day, passing first through the metal detectors used routinely to screen visitors to St Peter’s Basilica.
Among the visitors Monday were curious tourists, including Valerie Michalak, on holiday with her family from Benedict’s native Germany.
“It’s a once in a lifetime chance to be part of this big ceremony,” she said.
Thursday’s funeral is unprecedented in modern times in that it will be presided over by a sitting pontiff.
Benedict’s shock resignation created the extraordinary situation of having two “men in white” – him and Francis – at the Vatican.
Papal deaths usually trigger the calling of a conclave of cardinals to elect a successor, but this time Francis remains in post, and will lead proceedings.
The Vatican has yet to release details of the guest list, beyond saying that it will include delegations from Italy and Germany.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who at the weekend joined world leaders from Joe Biden to Vladimir Putin in paying tribute to Benedict, was among the first to visit his body on Monday morning.
She was greeted by Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, Benedict’s long-time aide.
“FAITHFUL SERVANT”
The last papal funeral, of John Paul II in 2005, drew a million faithful and heads of state from around the world.
But Benedict has been an ex-pope for longer than he was pontiff – and he was a more divisive figure.
A brilliant theologian, he alienated many Catholics with his staunch defence of traditional values and as pope struggled to impose his authority on the church as it battled a string of crises, including over clerical sex abuse.
His successor cuts a very different figure, an Argentine Jesuit who is most at home among his flock and has sought to forge a more compassionate church.
Pope Francis paid tribute to Benedict in three New Year’s events at the Vatican over the weekend, “thanking God for the gift of this faithful servant of the Gospel and of the Church”.
Francis, 86, has raised the prospect that he might follow Benedict’s example and step down if he became unable to carry out his duties.
In July, suffering knee problems that have forced him to rely on a wheelchair, he admitted he needed to slow down or think about stepping aside.
Last month, Francis revealed he had signed a resignation letter when he took office should poor health prevent him from carrying out his duties.
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