The death of a Pope moves to the Catholic Church in the world. Different rituals and actions are carried out as part of the announcement of this historical event and the beginning of a new ecclesiastical stage.
In Guatemala, for example, since the time of the colony there is a tradition. The Cathedral bell sounds 100 times to announce the death of the leader.
The historian, Alberto Salazar, social communicator of the Catholic Church, says that this tradition comes from the time of the colony, when Antigua Guatemala was the main city. “In the current century two popes have died, John Paul II and Benedito XVI, When his death is announced The Metropolitan Cathedral bell has replicated 100 times, a touch every minute“Salazar says.
When an archbishop dies in the country, this tradition is also. Similarly, when the new Pope is selected, “La Chepona” replicates again, but with joy.
The Metropolitan Cathedral bell is called “The Chepona”. Which was consecrated to “San José”, but for being masculine, the popular ingenuity granted a female alias that is still the largest bell in the country.
This bell was built in 1861, weighs five thousand pounds of bronze and was cast by Julio Vassaux at the request of the Metropolitan Cabildo to commemorate the 1870 Vatican Council, explains Francis Polo Sifocontes, anthropologist and historian in an article published in Free press.
In addition, at the time of the death of the leader of the Vatican, there would be a meeting of the bishops or the Permanent Council of the Episcopal Conference and a mourning note directed to the Holy See and the people of God would be issued. Masses and other acts will also be determined. There would be a press conference to explain these details, explains the recius appointed archbishop of the Altos, Monsignor Víctor Hugo Palma.
Juan Alberto Sandoval, historian, explains that Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini is currently part of the voters of a Pope at the time that the one in turn dies or renounces. Cardinals are responsible for ensuring the continuity of the Catholic Church and are summoned to a conclave, A secret choice in which they choose the new Pope.
The death of John Paul II
The life of John Paul II Sand extinguished on April 2, 2005after a two -day agony, by worsening their health, causing sadness millions of Catholics. A Pope loved by Guatemala for the three visits he made to the country in 1982, 1996 and 2002.
From the early hours of Friday, April 1, thousands of parishioners of various nationalities gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro, in the city of the Vatican, to accompany John Paul II until the last moment of their existence. There, faith and resignation remain, and they kept the hope of an improvement in the Pontiff’s health that was 84 years old.
The death of Benedict XVI
For his part, Benedict XVI, who retired his last 10 years of life in a monastery of the Vatican, was buried in a private ceremony in the Crypt of the Basilica, in what was the tomb of John Paul II until 2011.
Since Joseph Ratzinger, who was born in 1927, resigned before he died, his funeral respected part of the liturgy reserved for the potatoes.
Read more: Otto Pérez Molina was the last president of Latin America who visited Benedict XVI
The exequias of the German Pontiff, who resigned from Pedro’s throne in 2013 after eight years of pontificateThey were “solemn but sober,” as Benedict XVI wanted.
Among the attendees were several heads of state and government, including the presidents of Italy, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, King Felipe de Belgica and the Spanish Queen Spanish Sofia, as well as diplomats of various nationalities. About 50 thousand people attended, Vatican Fuentes reported.
The health of Pope Francis
As of February 14, Pope Francis is admitted to a disease that has led him to a crisis. The Catholic people have gathered to pray for him.
Doubts have arisen about their recovery. In this regard, historian Salazar explains that it is recognized that during the third age a pneumonia is dangerous, “however, the Pope has not stopped working and signing documents … there could be a probability of his death, but there is also hope That in a few days it comes out and continues in your pastoral work, “he adds.
Monsignor Palma says that Pope Francis is a loved character for Guatemala and “does not want God to happen his death”, in addition to asking for the good of the Pope.