In the morning in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the deceased Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. been adopted. Pope Francis was unable to celebrate the funeral service himself – as recently due to his health problems – but presided over it. At the end of the Mass, Benedict XVI’s remains were buried. transferred to the caves. This is buried in the crypt under St. Peter’s Basilica.
The funeral ceremony lasted a good two hours. Thousands of pilgrims had gathered on the streets in front of St. Peter’s Square in light fog since Thursday morning to gain access to the funeral mass.
Numerous state guests
Official delegations from Italy and Germany, the home of the retired Pope, as well as kings, nobles and clergymen from various countries flocked to St. Peter’s Square before the funeral service began. Austria was present at the funeral through former Federal President Heinz Fischer.
Even before the requiem mass, a ritual took place in St. Peter’s Basilica in the morning, closed to the public. The corpse, which had been laid out for days, was laid in a coffin made of cypresses and solemnly carried out of St. Peter’s Basilica onto the square. The faithful had the opportunity to pray a rosary for the deceased.
