Pope Benedict's liturgies to change, says papal master of ceremonies

Published: 2006-03-21

MILAN, Italy (CNS) -- Liturgies celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI are undergoing changes, said the papal master of liturgical ceremonies. Archbishop Piero Marini, who also served as master of ceremonies for Pope John Paul II, said that with Pope Benedict "I have to be a little more attentive because he is an expert in liturgy. But it gives me satisfaction because he always recognizes the work that has been done, and we talk about it together," said the 64-year-old Italian, who has worked at the Vatican since 1965. In a March 20 interview with the Milan-based online news site, Affari Italiani, the archbishop said he and Pope Benedict "are re-elaborating the papal ceremonies." He said, "I send him my notes and he returns them with his signature as a sign of approval, or else he suggests, completes or corrects." The archbishop did not provide details about what changes people may see in the papal liturgies or when they would be unveiled.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .