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–Pix(above): Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s lying in state

The last words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he lay on his death bed were “Lord, I love you!” according to the late pope’s longtime personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, The State Online gathered.

At about 3 a.m. on December 31, a few hours before he died, Benedict was alone with a nurse who did not speak German, Vatican News reported. At that time, Gänswein and others who were taking turns staying with the Pope Emeritus had left the room for a moment.

Gänswein recounted that Benedict XVI “in a soft but clearly distinguishable voice said in Italian, ‘Lord, I love you!’”

Gänswein said: “I was not there at the time, but the nurse told me shortly afterwards. Those were his last comprehensible words because after that, he was no longer able to express himself.”

The Pope Emeritus’ death was announced in Rome on December 31. His solemn funeral Mass will be on Thursday, January 5, at 9:30am, Rome time in St. Peter’s Square, with Pope Francis presiding. Benedict XVI will be buried in the Vatican crypt following the funeral.

 “In accordance with the wish of the Pope Emeritus, the funeral will be carried out under the sign of simplicity,” the Vatican press office director, Matteo Bruni, said.

Bruni told journalists in a news briefing, December 31, that Benedict received the sacrament of anointing of the sick on December 28.

 

…Only 2 countries will send official delegations to burial

Meanwhile, only two official state delegations — from Italy and Germany — will attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the Vatican’s press office has confirmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The protocols after the death of a reigning Pope have, in the past, provided a well-known set of rituals, but the death of a Pope Emeritus presents a unique situation.

The German-born Benedict, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, lived in Italy for more than 40 years, beginning in 1981. The Holy See Press Office confirmed on December 31 that the two countries were sending official representatives to the funeral, which will hold on Thursday./ SHARE THIS

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