Pope Francis is due to preside over Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s funeral at St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday, January 4. The event is expected to draw heads of state and royalty despite Benedict’s requests for simplicity and Vatican efforts to keep the first funeral for an emeritus pope in modern times low-key.
By the time the basilica’s doors were shut to the public on Wednesday evening, about 200,000 people had paid their respects to Benedict in over three days of public viewing.
Benedict, who was elected pope in 2005 following John Paul’s death, became the first pope in six centuries years to resign when he announced in 2013 he no longer had the strength to lead the Catholic Church.
Thursday's funeral service is expected to begin at 3:00 a.m. ET.
WATCH LIVE: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's funeral at St. Peter's Basilica https://t.co/INRmYM6drL
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) January 5, 2023
Pallbearers carry the cypress casket containing the mortal remains of Benedict XVI back inside St Peter's Basilica amid applause from the crowd.
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) January 5, 2023
The emeritus pope will be buried in the Vatican Grottoes beneath the basilica. | via @erikreports pic.twitter.com/xrYs5HDua3
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