What will happen if Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dies?

The Vatican it has detailed rituals and procedures to follow when a pontiff dies, but has not published such rules for a pope emeritus. As a result, the official news on Wednesday that the health of Benedict XVI had gotten worse raised questions about what will happen when the time comes.

SIGHT: Pope Francis announces that ex-Pontiff Benedict XVI is “very ill”

So far, the Vatican has not announced the next steps. The only certainty is that the most important ritual that follows the death of a pope, a conclave to elect a new one, will not apply.

Pope Francis sounded the alarm about the health of Benedict XVI, 95, when he asked during his Wednesday general audience for a special prayer for his predecessor, saying the pope emeritus was “very ill.”

Francis later visited Benedict XVI at his home in Vatican City. The Vatican spokesman confirmed that the pope emeritus’ health has worsened due to his age, but assured that the situation was under control.

Observers assume that, when necessary, Benedict’s funeral rituals will closely resemble those of the Bishop of Rome: a funeral in St. Peter’s Basilica or in the piazza, in this case presided over by Francis—rather than the dean of the college of cardinals—and burial in the grotto below the basilica.

“The funeral of a pope emeritus is the funeral of the bishop emeritus of Rome,” said church historian Alberto Melloni, adding that the situation is not entirely without precedent as dioceses around the world have figured out how to properly honor the retired bishops.

The volume “Roman Ritual” establishes how the liturgical rites should be celebrated, with prayers and specific readings.

However, some adjustments are required: because Benedict XVI was a head of state, the funeral will presumably take on more pomp and be attended by official delegations from around the world. To honor his papacy, his body will probably rest in the basilica for a few days before the funeral, as has happened with previous popes.

Few can forget the long lines of pilgrims who came to bid farewell to Saint John Paul II when he died in 2005.

When Benedict XVI announced his retirement in 2013, he opened up uncharted pontifical territory. From his title, “pope emeritus,” to his decision to retain the white cassock of the papacy, he largely created a new playbook to encompass both the reigning and retiring pope.

Christopher Bellitto, a history professor at Kean University in New Jersey, said the novelty of Benedict XVI’s remarkable decision will likely remain for posterity.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.