The funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI of the Roman Catholic Church, who died at the age of 95 on the 31st of last month, was strictly observed on the 5th.
On this day, more than 50,000 mourners from all over the world attended the funeral mass held in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
The funeral Mass was held under the presidency of Pope Francis, with the wooden coffin in which former Pope Benedict XVI was enshrined was transported to St. Peter’s Square and placed in front of the altar.
It is the second time that a pope has celebrated the funeral Mass of a predecessor, following Pope Pius VII in 1802.
Pope Francis said “our last farewell to Pope Benedict” and praised him as “God, our merciful and loving Father.”
Attending the funeral mass were Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorza Meloni, and former Pope Benedict XVI’s home country German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
After the funeral, former Pope Benedict XVI’s body was buried in a cave under St. Peter’s Basilica.
Former Pope Benedict XVI stepped down from the papacy in 2013 following eight years on the throne, citing health reasons as the first Roman Catholic pope in 598 years.
VOA News
