Former Shepparton resident Darius von Guttner provided special comments for Pope Francis’ funeral when it was televised on Channel 7.
Viewers of Pope Francis’ funeral coverage on Channel 7 may have noticed a familiar face among the commentary team.
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Former Goulburn Valley Grammar School teacher and La Trobe University Shepparton lecturer Darius von Guttner provided special comments for the funeral service and the funeral procession drive afterwards to the basilica where Pope Francis was buried.
Now based at Australian Catholic University in Canberra, Professor von Guttner is a historian of European history.
He has also written quite a lot about the history of the Catholic Church.
As an expert on the history of the papacy of Rome, he was asked to provide special comments for Channel 7’s funeral coverage.
Former Goulburn Valley Grammar School teacher Darius von Guttner (right) providing special commentary to Channel 7 host Michael Usher (left) on Pope Francis’ funeral.
Prof von Guttner, who lived and taught in Shepparton for almost 20 years, had a mixed bag of emotions during the live commentary.
“It’s enormously exciting on one hand, but frightening and terrifying at the same time,” he said.
“It’s a great honour to be able to provide expert commentary.
“It’s a big thing.”
Prof von Guttner spent four hours in a small television commentary box in Parliament House in Canberra watching the funeral and funeral procession and providing expert opinions.
“I’m deeply humbled and honoured to be able to honour Pope Francis in that way,” he said.
During the funeral and funeral procession, Prof von Guttner talked about the history of Vatican City, as well as the rites performed during the funeral Mass and homily at St Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis’ funeral was televised throughout the world, including Australia.
Photo by
Darek Delmanowicz
He also spoke of why Pope Francis’ coffin was placed in certain ways, and about why Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome was chosen as Pope Francis’ final resting place.
Prof von Guttner also told how the two popes that immediately preceded him — Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict — also liked to pray at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.
Prof von Guttner spoke of how it was a thrill to be involved in such an historic moment.
“Whether you are Catholic or not, that kind of event gets a lot of interest,” he said.
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