The devout, the curious and the professional observers attend Pope Benedict’s funeral | World News
It was an occasion attended by many, devout, curious bystanders and professional observers, all gathered with the death of a retired man nearly a decade ago.
Monks, priests, nuns, cardinals, bishops – all walks of life from the Catholic community gathered in St Peter’s Square for Pope Benedict’s funeral.
And then there are thousands of devotees who come here to pay their respects privately.
Among them were nuns from Nigeria, both of whom described Benedict as “courageous” for his decision to retire at the age of 85, with one of them saying he should be considered a saint.
A missionary from the Philippines said she thought the former pope was “loyal and humble” – an example for everyone in the church.
Pope Francis touches the coffin of former Pope Benedict
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and leader of Catholics in England and Wales, was also present, with people waiting patiently around him for his blessing.
“I know Pope Benedict quite well so I really feel sad and a sense of loss,” he said, “but I think that warmth also reflects his personality.
“What’s left with people is that he’s very gentle – he’s a gentleman – and he has great insight and sensitivity.
“Anyone who meets him gets the impression of a warm and polite man, someone you can sympathize with, no matter the difficulties you’re facing.
“That’s what spreads among people these days – they’re saying goodbye to someone so lovely.”
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Benedict’s coffin is placed in front of the altar
No dissent despite critics in his life
Around him, there was no dissent. Pope Benedict has had many critics in his life, notably those who say he hasn’t done enough to deal with the sex abuse scandals in his church, but not today. should be the forum for those debates.
It was essentially the funeral of an honorable man, with most, if not all, of the trappings of a full papal event.
And that’s also what makes people curious, because it’s a public day and there are people who come just to say they’ve been there, or to post a picture in the crowd.
Then there are the professionals – politicians, royals and representatives as well as police, paramedics and support staff.
Beside them were the Swiss Guard, Vatican Guardians, journalists from dozens of countries and street sweepers who diligently cleaned before and after the ceremony.
The third coffin of former Pope Benedict is played in The Holy Grotto of Vatican. Photo: Vatican Media/Reuters
St Peter’s Square is nowhere near full – but this is still special
Service barely ends when barriers are lifted – the Vatican is good at managing crowds.
This is unlike the funeral of his predecessor, John Paul II, whose death has brought millions of people in Italy and created a wave of grief from around the world.
Benedict did not spend much time at work, did not create such love and did not die in the office. St Peter’s Square, which could hold hundreds of thousands of people, was nowhere near full.
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Thousands of people line up to see Pope Benedict’s casket
But this is still a special occasion. There were times when the applause reverberated through the congregation, when the music seemed to pierce through the fog; as crowds of people held their breath as Pope Francis kissed the coffin containing the body of his predecessor.
It was the day when normal order was restored in the Catholic Church – when the divisive sentiments ended and the focus returned to the only person left in the world, who was declared Pope.
The question now, for the pious, the curious and the professional observers, is: is Benedict’s decision to retire a one-time curiosity or a precedent that Francis can make according to the?
On a day when the Vatican marks the past, there is much to wonder about the future.
