After three days on parade bed in St. Peter’s Basilica, former Pope Benedict will be laid to rest today. He became the first pope to retire from the position in 600 years when he stepped down in 2013. Today’s ceremony will thus be unusual in several ways. When Pope Francis leads the ceremony during the funeral, it is the first time a sitting pope has performed those rituals for his predecessor. The ceremony today differs slightly from a funeral after the death of a sitting pope, among other things when it comes to the invitations. The top political leaders from Germany and Italy are the only heads of state and government officially invited. However, several high-ranking representatives from other countries will be present today, including representatives of the Spanish and Belgian royal houses. Also from Norway One of the many thousands who will be present during the fair in Petersplassen is Mathias Ledum. The 27-year-old from Tretten in Gudbrandsdalen studies daily in Rome to become a Catholic priest. He is a warm supporter of the late church leader. – As the Pope, you are the spiritual leader of the entire Catholic Church. In many ways we see the Pope as our spiritual father. We say “papa”, don’t we. And losing your father will always be sad, says Mathias. Mathias Ledum will be present during the fair in Petersplassen. Photo: Private The Pope who abdicated Pope Benedict was originally named Joseph Ratzinger and was born in Germany. He was elected Pope of the Catholic Church on 19 April 2005 and took the name Benedict XVI. In 2013 he stepped down as pope due to failing health. He died on New Year’s Eve 2022 – aged 95. – What was perhaps special about Pope Benedict, in that he abdicated, he became more like a grandfather to the church, says Mathias. Mathias Ledum says that the first time he met Benedikt made a strong impression. It happened during a world gathering of around 2 million Catholic young people in Madrid in 2011. – To kneel down there in complete silence, meaning 2 million other young people who kneel down in silence in front of Jesus on the altar, it did something very special to me. And the fact that it was Pope Benedict who led us in that prayer. It left quite a deep mark on me, he says. Ledum believes that those who only portray Pope Benedict as unwilling to reform have not understood everything he stood for and worked with. Among other things, Benedikt has been nicknamed “God’s Rottweiler” by some. Mathias believes there are misunderstandings that could be due to Benedikt not having media coverage. From Joseph to Benedict. On 24 April 2005, he changed his name and became head of the Catholic Church. Photo: Andrew Medichini / AP A great theologian, Ledum receives partial support from Ingrid Rosendorf Joys, who is a Catholic and general secretary of the Co-operative Council for Faith and Beliefs. She believes Benedikt will be remembered as a sharp, clear and very skilled theologian. – What I think we will be left with is precisely the fact that he was this great theologian. But also that he put a very clear focus on reason. He thought it was reasonable to believe. He believed that there is good religion and that there is bad religion. Religion must withstand reason, she says. Ingrid Rosendorf Joys lights a candle in Oslo Cathedral. Archive photo. Photo: Torstein Bøe / NTB Joys also reminds us that there are around 1.3 billion Catholics in the world and that any pope will probably struggle to appear liberal. – It is clear that for those who wanted reforms within the Catholic Church which are about family life, female priests, celibacy and other things – he did not deliver, she says. A sea of people awaits In connection with the funeral on Thursday, Mathias Ledum will partly work for the Catholic media organization EWTN Norge – St Rita Radio. He states that preparations were made to be able to hold the fair itself outdoors in St. Peter’s Square, so that as many people as possible will be able to participate physically. – I think it will be an incredibly big event. There are probably many pilgrims, i.e. Catholics, who come to Rome on that occasion. What I think will meet me on Thursday is a sea of people out in St. Peter’s Square. PARADE BED: This is one of several photos that the Vatican has released of former Pope Benedict XVI, lying on a parade bed in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican Gardens. Photo: Vatican Media / AP Usually it is the dean of the College of Cardinals who presides over papal funerals, he says. But this time it will be Pope Francis who leads the mass. – To experience a pope burying another pope, I think that will be very special. It has been around 600 years since it last happened, he says. After the outdoor mass, the coffin with Benedict will be brought into St. Peter’s Basilica and down into the crypt where he is buried with the other popes. Gullkorn with Pope Mathias has a recommendation for anyone who has an image of Benedict as an old boring curmudgeon. Namely, go to YouTube and search for “Benedict – funny moments” or “lighthearted moments”. There are a number of clips of funny “golden grain moments” from his time as Pope. – Among other things, one where he is supposed to release pigeons from the window in the Vatican Palace, but then the pigeons fly straight back in. And then he says “Mamma mia – and they will probably be in the Pope’s house”, and laughs at it. There are many nice moments where you see that it is just an ordinary, old, pleasant fellow who was pope, says Mathias. ABDICATED: Pope Benedict XVI was the first pope in over 600 years to resign as supreme head of the Catholic Church. Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP
ttn-69
Priest student Mathias Ledum participates in Pope Benedict’s funeral – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
