A woman from Co Donegal will read one of the liturgical readings at the Requiem Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict ongoing at present. RTE has been relaying coverage from the Vatican since 8am this morning. Pope Emeritus Benedict died on Saturday December 31st aged 95. Pope Francis will preside over the funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will be the main celebrant at the altar. Pope Francis arrived by wheelchair as his mobility difficulties continue to increase.
Mary Maguire from Letterkenny will read the second reading in the Requiem Mass
It is understood that Mrs Maguire’s involvement in the mass is due to her work in the Cathedral parish in the Diocese of Raphoe and her work with St Vincent De paul. Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, who is the Cathedral Administrator of the Diocese, previously worked in Rome at the Congregation of the Clergy and was a personal Master of Ceremonies to Pope Benedict at the time. Benedict, who requested a simple funeral will be buried in the underground Vatican grottoes following the Mass.
