Patrick HertzogCardinal Joseph Ratzinger blesses the coffin of Pope John Paul II during his funeral mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City April 8, 2005. Pope Emeritus Benedict, has requested and will receive a simpler funeral Mass, which will be held Jan. 5.
COMMENTARY: The funeral rites follow from the novelty of the Pope Emeritus’ abdication in 2013, which was an utter innovation in the entire history of the Church.