The tomb of Benedict XVI, which has been placed in the crypt located in the Vatican caves, can be visited starting this Sunday at 9:00 a.m., according to the Vatican press office.
The mortal remains of Benedict XVI, which rest in a triple coffin, the first made of cypress wood, the second of zinc and the third of oak, together with some personal objects, such as the medals minted during his pontificate or a parchment with the The most outstanding events of his life, such as the fight against sexual abuse, were transferred this Thursday to the Vatican grottoes after his funeral.
The body of Benedict XVI was exposed for three days in a burning chapel in the Vatican basilica through which almost 200,000 faithful passed and after which it was placed in the first box, lined inside with crimson velvet.
He wore the pontifical vestments, such as the tunic or the red cloak (the color of papal mourning), although without the canopy, a symbol of pontifical jurisdiction, since he resigned, while his face was covered by a white silk scarf and in his hands left a rosary
The emeritus pope passed away at the age of 95 on Saturday, December 31, in his room at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, located within the Vatican gardens. Five days later, Francisco presided over his funeral in a massive ceremony in the Vatican that ended with his burial in the Vatican grottoes, in the same crypt that was first John XXIII and then John Paul II, until he was elevated to the altars in 2011.
As reported by the Holy See Press Office, the private rite by which the first of the coffins was introduced into the other two and sealed, in which only his personal secretary, Georg Ganswein, and the four Memores Domini – the nuns of the Communion and Liberation movement who have cared for him these last years of his life and there were no cameras or journalists – it lasted about an hour and fifty minutes.
In this way, pilgrims who visit Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican will be able to visit the tomb of Pope Emeritus XVI to pay a tribute of gratitude for the gifts and testimony that he leaves as a legacy to the Church.
