SW News:

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is vested in the same red chasuble he wore for World Youth Day (WYD) Sydney 2008. The former pontiff had enjoyed his visit to the Australian city and that is why he will be buried in the Vatican grottoes in that vestment he once wore. 

In a Facebook post, Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney wrote about how the Pope Emeritus loved his visit to Sydney to celebrate World Youth Day in 2008. 

The prelate wrote, “Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI remarked to me on many occasions how much he loved his visit to Sydney to celebrate World Youth Day in 2008. In a highly symbolic move, Pope Emeritus is currently lying in state wearing the WYD chasuble that he wore at the Final Mass for WYD at Randwick and the Vatican has confirmed that he will be buried wearing the same chasuble. What a wonderful tribute to how much he loved WYD08 and Australia.” 

In his latest post, the Australian Archbishop said that he was deeply honored to represent the Australian Bishops at the Funeral Mass of Benedict XVI. “I know how well-loved Pope Benedict is amongst Catholics in Australia. Know that I will carry your prayers for the beloved Pope with me to Rome and that I will pray for you and your loved ones while there,” he added. 

Benedict XVI visited Sydney from July 13 to 21 in 2008. At the Mass he celebrated on Sunday, July 20, at Randwick Racecourse, he assured the youth that the Lord is asking them to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, capable of drawing people to the Father and of building a future of hope for all humanity.