«It pained me that they used Benedict against me. Don Gaenswain’s book was published on the day of his burial, and it seemed to me a lack of nobility and humanity »: Pope Francis says so in the book-interview with the Spanish journalist Javier Martinez-Brocal «El sucesor» (Planeta editions) out tomorrow.
The controversy with Benedict XVI’s secretary
The book the Pope refers to is «Nothing but the truth», in which Ratzinger’s historic secretary, close to Benedict since 1992, after meeting him at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, recounted his years close to the Pope To tell the truth, to promote the book, Father Georg gave an interview to the German Catholic newspaper “Die Tagespost”, in which he stated that “Francis’s grip on the Latin Mass broke the heart of the Pope Emeritus”. He was referring to the «Tradizionis custodias», the Motu proprio (i.e. a document that is an autonomous, final and immediately valid decision of the Pope for the entire Catholic Church) of 16 July 2021 of Francis which contained restrictions on the celebrations of Masses in Latin and according to the pre-conciliar use, much loved and supported by Pope Ratzinger. That interview only increased the distance between the «Successor» and Don Georg.
Martinez Brocal’s book touches on many other themes: it also reveals how Bergoglio imagines and has already planned his own funeral: Pope Francis will be displayed in the coffin and not on a catafalque, “with dignity, but like every Christian”. There will be only one vigil, and not two. And there will be no closing ceremony for the coffin. The Pope therefore intends to simplify the solemn funeral rite reserved for popes. But he also returns to talk about Gaenswein, turning the spotlight back on, explaining that Benedict XVI’s funeral – which for some was subdued – was managed by Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, and Francis specifies that his own funeral will be more sober than that of his predecessors. The Pontiff insisted, explaining that Ratzinger has “always deferred to him, he has defended and supported him and there are none of the conservative attacks or maneuvers to undermine his authority behind him”.
«Benedict XVI’s funeral will be the last to be celebrated in this way»
Remembering the funeral of Benedict XVI, Francis says: «It will be the last funeral vigil celebrated in this way, with the pope’s body exposed on a catafalque. I spoke to the master of ceremonies and we eliminated this one, and many
other duties”. He concludes: «The current ritual was too overloaded».
