Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Inaugural Mass emphasizes Pope as Successor of Peter

Date: 2005-04-24

Inaugural Mass Full of New Symbolic Gestures

Emphasize Pope as Successor of Peter

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 24, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's inaugural Mass was the first one to incorporate new symbolic gestures that finalize the process of updating the installation rites of a new Pope.

The solemn Mass for the beginning of the pontificate replaced the coronation ceremony, which had been abolished by Paul VI in which a new pope received a tiara.

The process of updating the rite began during the Second Vatican Council, but hadn't been finalized when John Paul I was elected in 1978, or when John Paul II became Pope about a month later.

Substitute measures were used in these ceremonies, Monsignor Crispino Valenziano, of the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, told reporters Saturday.

The new Pope approved the rites a few hours after his election, and the Vatican reported that Benedict XVI wished to give the ceremony an intense symbolic value to highlight the Petrine (of Peter) dimension of his ministry.

For more go to article "Inaugural Mass Full of New Symbolic Gestures" in "Vatican Dossier" in "Daily Dispatch April 24, 2005"...

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:22 AM