Victor Ezeja
Thousands of mourners gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome on Monday to pay last respect to a former head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday at the age of 95.
Lying-in-state of the former Pope began on Monday morning at St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAs part of his funeral activities, Vatican authorities announced on Saturday that the incumbent Pope, Francis, who is 85, will be in charge of the funeral mass which will take place at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday, in Saint Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor while leading Angelus prayer on Sunday where he described Benedict as a great gift to the Church. He equally noted that the late Pope Emeritus was a noble and kind man who offered sacrifices for the good of the church.
“In particular, this salute is to the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, who yesterday morning passed away. We salute him as a faithful servant of the gospel,” Pope Francis said on Sunday.
Benedict was the first Supreme Pontiff to resign his position in nearly 600 years, as his predecessors usually held office for life.
He was elected Pope in 2005 following the death of John Paul II, and resigned in 2013, spending nearly 8 years in the Papacy. His resignation surprised many around the world as it was an uncommon practice in the Church.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in Germany in 1927, he grew up in the rural area of Bavaria.
According to a CNN report, the former Pope’s body was moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday morning from Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican where he died. The body was laid out for the faithful to bid farewell.
A CNN video showed mourners waiting in line in St. Peter’s Square to pay tribute to the former Pope.
The body will continue to lie in state in St. Peters Basilica on January 3 and 4, 2023, for members of the public to pay their final respects.
According to Vatican authorities, Benedict is to be buried in a crypt under St. Peter’s Basilica.
The tombs in the Vatican crypt are close to the remains of the Catholic Church’s first pope, St. Peter the Apostle.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
