When the former Pope Benedict XVI’s lying-in-state ceremony at the Vatican starts later, tens of thousands of people are anticipated to attend.
Nearly ten years after stepping down due to health issues, he passed away on New Year’s Eve at the age of 95.
The first time a pope will be buried by his successor will take place on Thursday when Pope Francis will preside over the burial.
According to the Vatican, the ceremony would be understated, serious, and sober.
In 2013, Benedict XVI resigned as Pope for the first time in 600 years, citing failing health.
People may pay their respects until 7 p.m. each evening while his body is on display for three days at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Pope Emeritus will be placed to rest in the graves beneath the Basilica after the burial, which will take place in St. Peter’s Square.
On Sunday, the Vatican published images of the body, which was clad in red papal mourning garments and a gold-trimmed miter.
Numerous tributes have been sent in from all around the world, and hundreds of people are anticipated to attend the funeral.
Pope John Paul II’s 2005 funeral, which attracted an estimated four million people to Rome, was the last papal funeral and one of the biggest Christian gatherings in history.
The details of the service are not yet known because numerous customs connected to the passing of a pope in office, most notably the choice of a successor, are not necessary.
According to Matteo Bruni, a spokesman for the Vatican, Benedict requested that the funeral be distinguished by simplicity.
Although the Vatican has not disclosed the specifics of the guest list, it has stated that it will include representatives from Italy and Benedict’s native Germany.
After the death of his “dearest” predecessor, Pope Francis paid respect to him.
While Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the former Pope as “a wonderful leader whom history will not forget,” US President Joe Biden praised his “lifetime of commitment to the Church.”
The greatest Catholic country in the world, Brazil, will soon have a new president named Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who expressed his wishes for “comfort to the faithful and supporters of the Holy Father.”
Some have criticized Pope Benedict for failing to address claims of clerical sexual abuse.
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