Former Federal President Heinz Fischer travels to the funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI. to Rome. Fischer was in the past at the inauguration of Benedict XVI. as well as an official visit to the Vatican.
Fischer has now been asked by current President Alexander Van der Bellen to participate in the funeral ceremonies in Rome, the president’s office said Tuesday. The former chancellor had several contacts with Joseph Ratzinger. The official papal visit in 2007 fell during Fischer’s tenure. As representatives of the Church in Austria, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop Franz Lackner from Salzburg as President of the Episcopal Conference and Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl from Graz will participate in the funeral service.
Schönborn: “I learned a lot from him”
In an interview with the Milan daily Corriere della Sera (Tuesday edition), Schönborn described the deceased as a “Doctor of the Church” and a “Church Father”. in written texts and in the living word. I have learned so much from him and I think his ability to teach, transmit and reflect on the faith almost makes him a Church father,” the cardinal said.
70,000 worshipers expected at funeral
More than 70,000 faithful are expected to attend the funeral of the current Pope Francis on Thursday. In addition, nobility, heads of state and prominent clergy from around the world have announced their participation. Among them are German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Portuguese President Marcelo Releblo de Sousa and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda.
Nearly 100,000 people have already gathered (as of Tuesday afternoon) at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the body will be kept until Wednesday evening. They came from Italy, but also from other countries. Benedict XVI died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 95. On New Year’s Day, he was first laid to rest in the chapel of the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican before his body was taken to St Peter’s Basilica in a private ceremony early Monday morning.
There the corpse, dressed in a red and gold robe and a gold-edged mitre, was placed on a catafalque in front of the main altar. Swiss guards stand guard.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
