Thousands of mourners have gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who will lay in state there for three days before being given a “simple” burial at the Vatican on Thursday.
Just after nine this morning, the Basilica’s doors were flung open for the people to pay their respects to the late pope after some had waited for hours.
The elderly 95-year-old passed away at the Vatican monastery on Saturday at 9.34 a.m. He had been residing there since his unexpected retirement in 2013. He was the first pope in 600 years to leave the papacy.
His corpse was put on a modest dais with two Swiss guards stationed on each side as the faithful passed by, clad in a mitre, bishop’s hat, and scarlet cloak-like vestment.
By noon, St. Peter’s Square was completely surrounded by people waiting to enter the basilica.
To see Benedict’s corpse, 35-year-old Filippo Tuccio took an overnight train from Venice.
“Because Benedict played a significant part in my life and my schooling, I wanted to honor him. I left Venice yesterday night, and I got here at 7.30 in the morning,” he added.
He said, “When I was young, I attended World Youth Days,” alluding to the annual gatherings of young Catholics that the popes visit.
Mr. Tuccio said, “His pontificate followed me throughout my academic years.” He had studied theology.
He had a significant impact on who I am, how I think, and what I value. I wanted to say farewell today for this reason.
Benedict, who was really named Joseph Ratzinger and was born in Marktl, Germany, will lay in state until this coming Wednesday, and Pope Francis will officiate at his burial on Thursday in St. Peter’s Square.
According to the Vatican, the service would be brief, sad, and somber to honor his desires.
The “simple” burial complies with the desires of the previous pontiff, who, before being elected pope in 2005, had worked as the Church’s defender of doctrinal purity for decades as a German cardinal.
Heads of state from all around the globe traditionally attend papal funerals, but the Vatican has announced that only official delegations from Italy and Benedict’s home Germany will attend.
Diplomats were informed that guests from foreign nations or organizations might attend in a private capacity.
A select group of dignitaries visited the basilica before the general public to offer their respects, among them Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, a member of the far-right who has previously expressed appreciation for Benedict’s conservatism.
On the first day of viewing, security authorities predicted that at least 25,000 individuals would pass by the corpse.
62-year-old Marina Ferrante was one of them. The Roman showed up an hour before the doors were opened, and she became upset as she described her reason for coming.
She remarked, “I believe his major legacy was showing us how to be free.”
For other believers, “he had a distinct intelligence in stating what was fundamental in his religion and that was infectious.”
“When he passed away, I had the feeling that I wanted to be as liberated as he was.”
Mountain Butorac, 47, a native of Atlanta who now resides in Rome, described the chance to see the corpse as “an unbelievable experience.”
According to Mr. Butorac, he came 90 minutes before to the morning opening and departed the basilica 30 minutes later.
Butorac said, “I adored Benedict, I loved him when he was elected pope, when he resigned, and I loved him as a cardinal (Joseph Ratzinger). I believe he was a type of human grandfather who resided in the Vatican.
When Benedict was ill, he traveled to the Vatican to pray for him, so he said, “I wanted to be here today to say farewell.” He remarked, “I believe he and Francis were close, and they cared for one other.
The meticulous, reserved, and very private German Benedict, who served as pope for eight years, struggled to replace the charismatic John Paul’s shoes, which led to continuous comparisons in the media and among the 1.3 billion Church members.
Today’s public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica lasts for ten hours.
The visitation will last 12 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday before the funeral on Thursday morning.
During a special Mass for New Year’s Day on Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis prayed for his predecessor’s ascension to paradise.
Francis, who entered St. Peter’s Basilica in a wheelchair for Sunday’s Mass, seemed worn out.
On April 19, 2005, Joseph Ratzinger, at 78 years old, was chosen to be the 265th pontiff, and he selected the name Benedict.
He served as the head of the 1.3 billion Catholics throughout the globe for eight years until resigning in 2013, citing his advanced age and failing health.
»Thousands gather at St. Peter’s Basilica to honour Pope Benedict XVI«