Pope Benedict

 

The Catholic Church has strict protocols in area following

 the demise of its leader, however with the demise of former Pope Benedict, it's miles uncertain whether or not the ones identical protocols will observe to a retired pope.

When Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 mentioning vintage age, he have become the primary Pope in six hundred years to step down from the position. Born Joseph Ratzinger, the German cardinal become elected in April 2005 and selected to move with the aid of using the call of Benedict.

For nearly a decade there had been in impact popes residing at near quarters withinside the Vatican, due to the fact Benedict stayed withinside the Vatican Gardens on the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, performing sometimes along his successor.

"We've by no means had this earlier than in which a residing pope will assist bury a lifeless pope," Catholic historian John McGreevy stated.

The man or woman who runs the Vatican from the demise of 1 pope to the election of any other is referred to as a "camerlengo", presently Cardinal Kevin Farrell. But due to the fact Benedict become not pope a number of the cardinal's responsibilities can also additionally not be appropriate.

Normally, the camerlengo has the position of formally confirming the pope's demise, historically with the aid of using tapping his head 3 instances with a small silver hammer and calling out his call. He could additionally oversee the destruction of the pope's fisherman's ring, sealing the papal apartments, setting up the funeral and making ready a conclave to go with a successor.

As Francis is already Pope, there's giant uncertainty approximately what the camerlengo will now do.

A papal funeral is normally presided over with the aid of using the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. But on this case, Pope Francis will officiate over the funeral, to be held in St Peter's Square.

Each pope can specify their personal funeral arrangements, and despite the fact that Benedict's own circle of relatives is buried in Germany, his biographer Peter Seewald stated he desired to be buried withinside the tomb that belonged to his predecessor John Paul II earlier than he become canonised and moved somewhere else withinside the Vatican.

The maximum large ritual that commonly occurs following the demise of a pope - electing a brand new one - will now no longer happen.

Vatican affairs author Massimo Franco instructed the BBC that each one the strategies could must be "written from scratch", and that following Benedict's resignation in 2013 the Catholic Church did now no longer specify what could be finished while he died.

He additionally warned the demise of Benedict should have unexpected outcomes at the papacy, which include normalising the resignation of a pope.

"For a few withinside the Catholic Church, the resignation of Benedict represents a completely unique condition with a view to by no means must be repeated," he stated.

"For others it is able to constitute a precedent and consequently might be repeated. But this stays a large query mark, similar to the entirety surrounding the demise and funeral of Benedict XVI."

As Benedict become formerly the pinnacle of nation of Vatican City - an unbiased city-nation surrounded with the aid of using Rome and ruled with the aid of using the Pope - it's miles viable there can be a nation funeral with overseas leaders invited, however even that thus far is uncharted territory.

This article become first posted on 29 December and up to date following the demise of Benedict XVI