To my knowledge, we have a new case. It was not known before that the Pope performed the funeral of his predecessor. We also have a new title, “Pope Emeritus,” which was never used in the Church. In some examples in history, when Popes abdicated, they did not continue to wear their papal vestments, use their papal name, or grant apostolic blessings.
These practices were never done in the Church, and I think they brought confusion. A Pope who has abdicated should not do this because the Church is a Monarchical and Hierarchical structure, having only one visible head, the reigning pope.
I think in the future, canon law should establish concrete, binding norms for future popes in case they abdicate to prevent this confusing situation from happening again, which we, unfortunately, witnessed with the former pope, Pope Benedict, the so-called “Pope Emeritus.” This is one aspect.
I think the other aspect is that even though he abdicated, he still was a pope and was a pope for eight years, therefore, he has the right to have a papal funeral and burial. In this respect, in the future, I think the Church must establish norms on how to best proceed with the funeral of a pope who has abdicated.
I think the other aspect is that even though he abdicated, he still was a pope and was a pope for eight years therefore he has the right to have a papal funeral and burial. In this respect, in the future, I think the Church must establish norms on how to best proceed with the funeral of a pope who has abdicated.
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