VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI "spread and testified to" the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor's funeral Mass.
"Like the women at the tomb, we too have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, in order to show him once more the love that is undying. We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years," Pope Francis said in his homily.
The Mass in St. Peter's Square was the first time in more than 200 years that a pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor. Pope Pius VII had celebrated the funeral of Pius VI in 1802 when his remains were returned to Rome after he died in exile in France in 1799.
Pope Benedict, who had retired in 2013, had requested his funeral be simple; the only heads of state invited to lead delegations were those of Italy and his native Germany.
However, many dignitaries -- including Queen Sofia of Spain and King Philippe of Belgium -- and presidents and government ministers representing more than a dozen nations were in attendance, as were most of the ambassadors to the Holy See.
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, sat on the front row of a section of members of the College of Cardinals who sat on one side of the casket. Cardinal DiNardo was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2007 by the late pope. On the other side, sat special guests, including the late pope's closest collaborators and representatives of the Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and U.S. evangelical communities. Jewish and Muslim organizations also sent delegations.
The body of the late Pope Benedict XVI lies in the chapel of the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery at the Vatican Jan. 1, 2023. Pope Benedict died Dec. 31 at the monastery at the age of 95. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
People pay their respects at the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 3, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
People pay their respects at the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
People pay their respects at the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
The body of Pope Benedict XVI lies in St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing at the Vatican Jan. 2, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
People pay their respects at the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
People pay their respects at the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 2, 2023. (CNS photo/Ciro De Luca, Reuters)
People pay their respects at the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
People pay their respects at the body of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 3, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
A rosary and crucifix are seen in the hands of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica as people pay their respects to the late pope at the Vatican Jan. 2, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Cardinals process into St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to concelebrate with Pope Francis the funeral Mass of Pope Benedict XVI Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Chris Warde-Jones)
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, private secretary to Pope Benedict XVI, kisses the casket of the late pope during his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Jan. 5, 2023. Also pictured is Msgr. Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Pope Francis' master of papal liturgical ceremonies. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis presides over the funeral Mass of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis touches the casket of Pope Benedict XVI at the conclusion of his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pallbearers carry the casket of Pope Benedict XVI into St. Pater's Basilica at the Vatican at the conclusion of his funeral Mass Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
A pilgrim holds a German national flag in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican before Pope Francis' celebration of the funeral Mass of Pope Benedict XVI Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
People hold up a sign saying, "Santo Subito" (Sainthood Now) as Pope Francis concludes the funeral Mass for Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Chris Warde-Jones)
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, private secretary to Pope Benedict, signs a scroll known as a "rogito" to place with the body of Pope Benedict XVI in his cypress casket in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. In addition to containing his biography, the legal document, written in Latin, also attested to his death and burial. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
The face of Pope Benedict XVI is covered after his body was placed into a cypress casket in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. Placing the cloth were Msgr. Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Pope Francis' master of papal liturgical ceremonies, and Archbishop Georg Gänswein, private secretary to Pope Benedict. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
The face of Pope Benedict XVI is covered after his body was placed into a cypress casket in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. Placing the cloth were Msgr. Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Pope Francis' master of papal liturgical ceremonies, and Archbishop Georg Gänswein, private secretary to Pope Benedict. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, private secretary to Pope Benedict XVI, kisses the casket of the late pope after his body was placed into it in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 4, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
The zinc casket containing the cypress casket with the body of Pope Benedict XVI is sealed before it is placed in an oak casket and buried in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 5, 2023. Popes traditionally are buried in three caskets. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
