When he retired, the ultra-conservative Pope Benedict XVI was expected to disappear from view, clearing the way for his liberal successor, Francis, to clean house in the notoriously corrupt Vatican. Instead, he stayed, setting the stage for a conflict that threatens to split the Catholic Church in two
The mortal remains of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI were moved early in the morning on Jan. 2, 2023, from his former residence in the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to St. Peter's Basilica, where the late pope is lying in state through Jan. 4. Thousands waited in line to pay their respects. / Daniel Ibañez / EWTNVatican City, Jan 3, 2023 / 01:46 am (CNA).Following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, these are the details you should know about his funeral in the Vatican.Benedict XVI passed away on December 31 at 9:34 am (Rome time). As confirmed by his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein, his last words were "Signore, ti amo !" (Lord, I love you!) And he pronounced them in Italian.Unlike the death of Saint John Paul II in 2005, the death of the Pope Emeritus was not announced in Saint Peter s Square nor was there a peal of bells. Confirmation of his death was reported by the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni.Bruni told reporters that