CathNews New Zealand

Pope Benedict’s last Mass as pope is on Ash Wednesday, and it will be held in St Peter’s.

Benedict XVI was scheduled to preside over the traditional Ash Wednesday Lenten Stations of the Cross at Sant’ Anselmo church, followed by a procession to Santa Sabina Basilica on Rome’s Aventine Hill.

“It’s very clear that St. Peter’s is a much bigger church than Santa Sabina in Aventino, so for a celebration in which we expect there will be a lot of faithful, bishops and cardinals who wish to be present to pray together with the Pope, St. Peter’s Basilica was chosen spontaneously,” Father Federico Lombardi told CNA Feb. 12.

“It’s a natural motive of space and it’s also necessary to bear in mind that this will probably be the last big liturgical celebration, the last Mass, presided over by the Pope with the cardinals.

“So it’s normal that it occurs in his church, in St. Peter’s Basilica,” the Vatican spokesman said.

Source: CNA

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