Homily for Pope John Paul II During His Funeral Mass
April 8, 2005— -- Text of the homily read, in Italian, by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals, during the funeralMass of Pope John Paul II. Translation provided by the Vatican:
"Follow me." The Risen Lord says these words to Peter. Theyare his last words to this disciple, chosen to shepherd his flock."Follow me" -- this lapidary saying of Christ can be taken as thekey to understanding the message which comes to us from the life ofour late beloved Pope John Paul II. Today we bury his remains inthe earth as a seed of immortality -- our hearts are full ofsadness, yet at the same time of joyful hope and profoundgratitude.
These are the sentiments that inspire us, Brothers and Sistersin Christ, present here in St. Peter's Square, in neighboringstreets and in various other locations within the city of Rome,where an immense crowd, silently praying, has gathered over thelast few days. I greet all of you from my heart. In the name of theCollege of Cardinals, I also wish to express my respects to Headsof State, Heads of Government and the delegations from variouscountries. I greet the Authorities and official representatives ofother Churches and Christian Communities, and likewise those ofdifferent religions. Next I greet the Archbishops, Bishops,priests, religious men and women and the faithful who have comehere from every Continent; especially the young, whom John Paul IIliked to call the future and the hope of the Church. My greeting isextended, moreover, to all those throughout the world who areunited with us through radio and television in this solemncelebration of our beloved Holy Father's funeral.
Follow me -- as a young student Karol Wojtyla was thrilled byliterature, the theater, and poetry. Working in a chemical plant,surrounded and threatened by the Nazi terror, he heard the voice ofthe Lord: Follow me! In this extraordinary setting he began to readbooks of philosophy and theology, and then entered the clandestineseminary established by Cardinal Sapieha. After the war he was ableto complete his studies in the faculty of theology of theJagiellonian University of Krakow.
How often, in his letters to priests and in his autobiographical books has he spoken to us about his priesthood, to which he was ordained on Nov. 1, 1946. In thesetexts he interprets his priesthood with particular reference tothree sayings of the Lord.
First: "You did not choose me, but Ichose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit thatwill last" (John 15:16). The second saying is: "The good shepherdlays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). And then: "As thefather has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love" (John15:9). In these three sayings we see the heart and soul of our HolyFather. He really went everywhere, untiringly, in order to bearfruit, fruit that lasts. "Rise, Let us be on our Way!" is thetitle of his next-to-last book. "Rise, let us be on our way!" -- with these words he roused us from a lethargic faith, from thesleep of the disciples of both yesterday and today. "Rise, let usbe on our way!" he continues to say to us even today.
