FYI:
– At today’s general audience in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis began by speaking of his predecessor, Benedict XVI: “Before beginning this catechesis, I would like us to join with those here beside us who are paying their respects to Benedict XVI, and to turn my thoughts to him, a great master of catechesis. His acute and gentle thought was not self-referential, but ecclesial, because he always wanted to accompany us in the encounter with Jesus. Jesus, Crucified and Risen, the Living One and the Lord, was the destination to which Pope Benedict led us, taking us by the hand. May he help us rediscover in Christ the joy of believing and the hope of living!”
– The last time a Pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor, as Pope Francis will on Thursday, 5 January, was when Pius VII celebrated the funeral of Pius VI in 1802. The last time a Pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor was in 1802 – Vatican News
– On the occasion of the solemn funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the Italian Prime Minister announced that national and European union flags on public buildings will be flown at half-staff throughout the national territory on January 5, 2023.
– 3,700 priests will be concelebrating at Benedict’s funeral Mass.
COVERING HISTORY: BEHIND THE SCENES
I’ve had trouble, as I frequently do, uploading photos to my laptop but finally here are a few that will serve to give you an idea of what goes into covering an historical event, such as that we are witnessing, of the passing of a pope emeritus, by a large media family, EWTN.
Among other things, it means building a structure that allows us to have our correspondents and visitors tell the story and bring the news to world in multiple languages. Part of this is also used by EBU, the European Broadcasting Union, whose members can report from this stage.
Days and days go by as builders, electricians and countless others work to make this happen. These are people whose faces and work are never seen by the viewer, but whose work allows us to go on air!
This has to happen….
Before our coverage and commentary can happen….
Joan's Rome 