Funeral arrangements are being finalized for retired Pope Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31 in Vatican City at age 95. His body will lie in St. Peter’s Basilica beginning Jan. 2, 2023 so the public can pay their respects and offer prayers.
His successor, Pope Francis, is scheduled to celebrate the funeral Mass on Jan. 5 in St. Peter’s Square. Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said the late pope requested that his funeral be kept simple.
The retired pope received the anointing of the sick on Dec. 28 in his residence. Pope Francis announced that day that Pope Benedict was “very sick” and asked for prayers for him.
Bruni said on Dec. 30 that Pope Benedict was in serious, but stable condition. He had a restful night and was able to participate in the celebration of Mass in his room, Bruni added. He said the retired pope’s deteriorating condition was due to his advanced age.
The announcement of the retired pope’s death came at 9:34 a.m. Rome time on Dec. 31.
He was the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign after eight years in the papacy. After retiring, he lived a quiet life of prayer and study and maintained a friendship with Pope Francis.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany, the late pope was one of three children. He and his late brother Georg were ordained to the priesthood on the same day, June 29, 1951. He was ordained a bishop on May 28, 1977 and was inducted into the College of Cardinals on June 27, 1977. Cardinal Ratzinger was elected pope at age 78 on April 19, 2005 and he resigned on Feb. 28, 2013, citing declining strength due to age.
Since his retirement, the late pope lived in a renovated monastery near the Vatican Gardens.