Former Pope Benedict's lying in state at Vatican begins ahead of funeral on Thursday
Pope Benedict
The former pope, Benedict XVI’s body will lie in state for three days at St Peter's Basilica before his funeral, on Thursday, as per AFP. Catholics from across the world, on Monday, will be able to pay tribute to the German theologian who passed away on December 31 at the age of 95 and led the church for eight years before stepping down in 2013.
The former pope’s body was transferred to the basilicawhere at least tens of thousands ofpeople are expected to gatherto pay their respects. According to media reports,a queue was already forming at the edge of St Peter's Square, on Monday morning where he will be on displayfor three days in an open casketuntil 7:00 pm (local time) each evening.
ALSO READ |Pope Francis hails ‘beloved’ Benedict XVI in New Year’s Day address
The funeral will be led by his successor Pope Francis on December 5 in St Peter’s Square before his mortal remains are laid to rest in the tombs beneath St Peter's Basilica.
Benedict who was the first pope in nearly 600 years to step down, passed away, at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery inside the Vatican gardens which has been his home since his resignation, which had created a unique situation of having two “men in white” in the Vatican. The funeral on Thursday will be “solemn but simple” as the Vatican had said previously.
Pope Francis, in his address delivered in a New Year's Day service on Sunday at the Vatican, remembered his predecessor “beloved” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and thanked “God for the gift of this faithful servant of the Gospel and of the Church”.
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ALSO WATCH |Vatican: Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95, tributes pour in
The last papal funeral of John Paul II, held in 2005 drew millions of people and heads of state from across the world. However, Benedict has been a figure who has alienated many Catholics with his staunch defence of traditional values.
(With inputs from agencies)
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