A Question about Pope Benedict XVI

[Crux_Sacra]

Once he steps down, he’ll no longer be Pope. When a Pope is canonized, they are referred to as both Pope and Saint. If he’s ever canonized as a saint, how would the Church refer to him?

 

[Bookcat]

Pope.

 

[Bookcat]

For example a married person whose spouse dies …and who continues on for some time…is still listed as a married if they are canonized.

Or I imagine one who was a King who gave up the crown.

Hence I would say still “Pope” if canonized.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Pope. He will almost certainly be buried as a Pope as well.

 

[Bookcat]

To show more directly such is the case:

Pope St. Celestine V

(who is one of the Popes that “resigned” -and indeed one Pope Benedict XVI has personally honored).

He is in Pope Benedict XVI’s own words: “Pope St. Celestine V”

 

[JReducation]

Once he steps down, he’ll no longer be Pope. When a Pope is canonized, they are referred to as both Pope and Saint. If he’s ever canonized as a saint, how would the Church refer to him?

Pope.

Pope. He will almost certainly be buried as a Pope as well.

I wouldn’t make either of these assertions. The fact is that we’re flying by the seat of our pants here, because the last time that a pope abdicated was 600 years ago. Canon Law has changed a lot since then.

If we go strictly by Canon Law and by previous experiences, neither Gregory nor Celestine were buried as popes. The proper for Celestine’s feast is taken from the proper for confessors, pastors and religious. In other words, one can choose. There is no canonization as pope. Popes are canonized under the same title as other bishops, Pastor.

If we examine current canon law, the person ceases to be pope when the abdication takes effect. With that go any rights and privileges that go with the Petrine Office. It’s really a decision that the Roman Curia will have to make when the time comes, unless he leaves something in writing specifying how and where he wants to be buried.

I have seen several posts on different sites stating that he will receive a papal funeral, as if it were a fact. There are no facts, because there are no rules here, other than the one that says that he is no longer the pope and no longer has claims on any of the privileges and rights that go with the office.

We will just have to wait and see how this plays out. But I would not make statements as factual on a subject that has never been ruled on by the Holy See.