Skip to content

Benedict XVI’s final resting place decided: He will be buried in Vatican crypt

Benedict XVI will be buried in the crypt under St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican said Saturday afternoon.

Benedict’s death, at the age of 95, was announced in Rome on Dec. 31. His body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica from the morning of Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, until his funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Jan. 5, 2023.

The tombs in the Vatican crypt are close to the remains of the Catholic Church’s first pope, St. Peter the Apostle.

Benedict XVI’s remains will stay at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery until Jan. 2, 2022, the Vatican said. No official visits or public prayers are planned.

His body will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2023, and from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. on Jan. 3 and 4, 2023, in St. Peter’s Basilica, where members of the public may pay their final respects.

The funeral Mass on Jan. 5, 2023, will take place at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square. Attendance is free and requires no reservation.

At the end of the Mass, there will be the Final Commendation and valediction before Benedict XVI’s coffin is carried to the Vatican crypt for burial.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

A Look at the Catholic Media Federation’s International Day in Lourdes

Saint Francis de Sales was a topic of conversation in France, particularly at the Shrine of Lourdes which

Pope Francis’ Reflection on the 70th Anniversary of the Tears of the Virgin of Syracuse

This December 7th, on the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis sent a letter

U.S. priests report high confidence in Pope Leo XIV, less trust in bishops

A 2025 survey of more than 1,100 American priests found high rates of self-reported personal flourishing, strong confidence

Cardinal De Donatis leads faithful in Rome for prayer vigil for peace in the Holy Land

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, vicar of the Diocese of Rome, on Sunday evening, Oct. 15, led a crowd

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul and the Second Vatican Council

Pope St. John XXIII first announced his intention of convoking the Second Vatican Council on the Feast of

Pope Francis to Release an Autobiography in the Spring

Pope Francis will publish an autobiography next year in which he recounts memories of historical events from the outbreak of World War II to the collapse of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com