BENEDICT’S XVI’S FUNERAL: MY IMPRESSIONS

By Fr. Casmir Odundo 

I remember fondly in late March 2005, I was a form two (High School) student at St. Joseph’s Junior Seminary Molo, Kenya. We had by then closed school for the Easter and April holidays. Then suddenly it was announced that Pope John Paul II, had taken ill and was very sick. I remember watching on TV how the pilgrims kept vigil at St. Peter’s Square praying for the Pope. He was the only Pope many people had known  and so there was uncertainty of what the future would be like without him. Who could succeed such a great Pope? 

On 3rd of April 2005, my mother woke me up to the news that John Paul II had died the previous day. I remember watching the announcement and I recall the spontaneous applause that followed. “Why are they clapping at such sad news?” I wondered. But the commentator on TV was gracious enough to explain that it is part of Italian tradition. 

Then followed the requiem Mass on 8th April 2005, which I followed from the beginning to the end and when my mum, who was at work came back home that day I recounted everything to her. I wondered who would be to be so blessed as to preside over the funeral Mass of a Pope. It was at that moment that the figure of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was presented to me. I loved the way he presided over the funeral and particularly his homily.  It was my first encounter with him who would in a few days be Pope Benedict XVI.

17 years later, today, we held another funeral mass of a Roman Pontiff. 17 years later, of course a lot of water has passed under the BRIDGE since then. (I have put the word bridge in CAPS because the name Pontifex is actually a Latin compound word made up of two words: Pons (bridge) and Fex [from the Verb Facere, which means to do]. A pope is therefore, a BRIDGE MAKER, to put it literally!)

This time I was privileged to be physically present at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican and to even concelebrate the funeral  Mass. As a priest, I have had the grace to preside over several funerals and to concelebrate in many others but this one of today is a privilege that  I will thank the Lord forever for. He sent me to Rome, at the right time.  

The funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had a lot in common with the funeral Mass of St. John Paul II, save for some few exceptions! Indeed, it is more or less the same funeral Mass that would be celebrated for any ordinary Christian. 

Red Vestments 

First of all, the Pope was buried in red vestments and the liturgical colour of the day was red. In the Catholic Church, we use a lot of signs and symbols and so the colour is very important.  I can therefore understand why quite a number of people have been interested to know this. We know that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the Book of Rites permit different colours to be used by different regions during funerals. For instance the traditional colour of mourning is black. In some countries like Kenya, where I come from Violet (purple) is used to emphasise penitence.  In other countries like the United States,  White is used  to emphasise the Resurrection (Easter). 

Now, as regards Red for the funeral of the Pontiffs, first and foremost, it is important to note that this is prescribed in the rubrics of the ritual of the funeral of the Roman Pontiffs (Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis 2000).  Red is used not just in the funeral Mass of the Popes, but also when the Pope celebrates Mass for deceased bishops and cardinals, which he does every year in November.  The requiem Mass of many Cardinals in Rome is always done also in red. For example four months ago, when Cardinal Josef Tomko’s funeral was held, Cardinal Re the presider and all the Cardinals present as well as Pope Francis who read the recommendation at the end, were all vested in red. 

Now, the explanation: I have read many views online and many attempts to theologise this. I do not dispute but since I am a student of history, I believe the answer lies more in history and how history has influenced liturgy. The use of the colour red by the Pope goes back to the Roman Empire in Ancient Rome where those with the rank or title of Consul or General vested in red stripes or (completely red if he was Consul.) We also know for many years that the Pope used to use either only red or white vestments. He particularly used red for funerals. The Church has been faithful to this tradition.

Over 4,000 Priests Present

Another feature that struck me, during today’s liturgy was the number of participants, especially the number of priests present. It was overwhelming. In such a short notice, the Vatican estimated that 4,000 priests concelebrated, about 400 bishops and 130 cardinals. It was indeed a fitting send off for a Pontiff who had proclaimed the “Year of Priests” and  who held priests and seminarians, as the “pupil of his eye.” 

The Homily

The homily of Pope Francis was a beautiful and brief exposition on trust that is reflected in God’s hands. "Father into your hands, I commend my spirit." It was a funeral homily and not an eulogy. After all, Benedict XVI has already been eulogised by millions. In the homily, Pope Francis only mentioned Pope Benedict XVI at the end, in his last line. But of course, those who were keen knew that in his exposition of the scripture, Pope Francis heavily quoted Pope Benedict  XVI.

St. Peters 

In just one hour and a few minutes we were done with the funeral Mass. No exaggerated speeches. The focus was prayer and the prayer atmosphere was kept and catalysed by the foggy weather. 

Finally, I was struck by the place of the funeral itself: St. Peter’s Square, outside St. Peter’s Basilica. It was here 60 years ago that the star of the then Fr. Joseph Ratzinger showed when he participated in the Vatican II council first as Peritus, as a theological consultant to Cardinal Frings of Cologne and later as one of the permanent theologians of the council. Perhaps, in my opinion, if it were not for the Vatican II council, many of us might have never met Pope Benedict XVI. It was again at St. Peter’s Basilica where Joseph Ratzinger was created cardinal in 1977 by St. Paul VI. And when he was appointed head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, by St. John Paul II in 1982, a position he held for nearly a quarter of a century, the Vatican and St. Peter’s  became his home. It was again at the same square, outside St. Peter’s Basilica where he led the church in mourning Pope John Paul II 17 years ago as the then Dean of the College of Cardinals. Days later he appeared at the balcony of St. Peter’s no longer as Cardinal Ratzinger but as Pope Benedict XVI, describing himself as a “humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.”  From that time, he was synonymous with St. Peter's, St. Peter's Basilica and Square served as the rock from which he preached, spoke to the world and came out to meet pilgrims. 

Finally today, it was at the same St. Peter’s Square and basilica, (where he had come 60 years ago), where his funeral was celebrated and he was finally rested, as one of the successors of St. Peter and close to the tomb of Peter. 

Exactly as it happened in the funeral of  St. John Paul II, 17 years ago, there was a big sign  “Santo Subito!”which means “Saint Now!” from the faithful. And as if that was not enough, cries of “Santo Subito!” could be heard at the end of the ceremony amidst the continuous applause.

I am certain that we will one day celebrate Pope Benedict XVI again at St. Peter’s Square. He is not yet done with St. Peter’s!  I only hope that that day comes soon for this Pope Emeritus who died in one year and was buried in the another. Santo Subito! 

The author is a priest of the Diocese of Nakuru and a student at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome.  Email: casmirthomas28@gmail.com