The funeral chapel of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died this Saturday at the age of 95, was opened at 9 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for the last farewell of the faithful. Hundreds of people have been queuing since 5:30 am this morning to gain access to the nave of the temple and to pay homage to Joseph Ratzinger. Authorities assume that around 35,000 people will pass through the burning chapel on each of the three days that it remains open. The funeral will take place on Thursday morning.
The first believers to enter the basilica were a group of Indian theologians who had been waiting outside the temple’s doors since dawn. But among the first to speak of Benedict XVI. Saying goodbye just before the Temple’s doors were opened to the public were the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. Both silently paid tribute to Ratzinger from the side benches at the place where the body of the Pope Emeritus is laid out.
The line of believers awaiting the remains of the Pope Emeritus is already crossing the Basilica and circumnavigating St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican several times so that they can wait in an orderly manner. The coincidence of the death of Benedict XVI. with the Christmas holidays has meant that many of the curious were just tourists. Some didn’t even know what happened, like Emily C., a Californian, who waited in line with her three friends, contemplating seeing the basilica. “Really? Is Benedict XVI here? How cool! Much better than seeing the Sistine Chapel then!” Others, like a group of Spaniards a few meters away, used their holiday trip to attend the funeral Dedication,” says Ángel Botella, 56.
General view of the burial chapel of Benedict XVI. in the nave of St. Peter’s Basilica. VATICAN MEDIA (EFE)
Hundreds of people have been queuing since half past five this morning to enter the temple and pay tribute to Ratzinger.Alessandra Tarantino (AP)
Authorities expect around 35,000 people will pass through the burning chapel on each of the three days it remains open. VATICAN MEDIA (EFE)
Queue of the faithful in the Basilica of San Pedro.GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE (Portal)
Detail of the hands of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, this Monday DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)
In St. Peter’s Basilica, the faithful bid farewell to Joseph Ratzinger. VATICAN MEDIA (EFE)
Several nuns are waiting in St. Peter’s Square to pay homage to the Pope Emeritus. GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE (Portal)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (third from left) visited the funeral chapel of the Pope Emeritus on Monday. VATICAN MEDIA (via Portal)
Interior of St. Peter’s Basilica, on the first day of the funeral chapel of Pope Benedict XVI. VATICAN MEDIA (EFE)
Several believers pay homage to the Pope Emeritus in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. KAI PFAFFENBACH (Portal)
Queuing to access the Basilica of San Pedro. Andrew Medichini (AP)
The body of the late Benedict XVI. is in the central nave of St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. Alessandra Tarantino (AP)
Interior of St. Peter’s Basilica during the funeral chapel this Monday HANDOUT (AFP)
Dozens of believers are waiting to see the remains of the Pope Emeritus.TIZIANA FABI (AFP)
General view of the burning chapel in the central nave of the basilica.Andrew Medichini (AP)
Benedict XVI was dressed in papal red but without the pallium: the jewel worn around the neck that signifies the power exercised at the time of his death. The absence of this piece indicates that the German was precisely retired.TIZIANA FABI (AFP)
A nun feeds a pigeon while waiting to say goodbye to the Pope Emeritus. CIRO DE LUCA (Portal)
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict XVI’s personal secretary, kisses his hand in the mourning chapel set up in St. Peter’s Basilica. VATICAN MEDIA (EFE)
The remains of Joseph Ratzinger will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica at dawn this Monday from the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, where the Pope Emeritus has resided since his resignation in February 2013. VATICAN MEDIA HANDBOOK (EFE)
Dozens of people are waiting to enter St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican this Monday. Michael Kappeler (European Press)
The pope emeritus is veiled in the chapel of the Mater Ecclessiae prior to his transfer to the basilica in a picture distributed by the Vatican this Monday.
One of the great doubts about an unprecedented event like the death of a pope emeritus was the burial rite and protocol that would be drawn up. The clothing gives some clues, because Benedict XVI. was dressed in papal red but without the pallium: the jewel worn around the neck that signifies the power exercised at the time of his death. The absence of this piece indicates that the German was precisely retired.
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The other major difference from the death of a reigning pope is that no state funeral is held on the 5th. The only delegations invited in this regard were the Germans (due to the pope’s nationality) and the Italians due to the existing connection between the Vatican and the host country. But the heads of state or government presidents who travel to Rome to fire Ratzinger do so of their own free will.
The remains of Joseph Ratzinger were transferred to the basilica at 7 a.m. from the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, where the Pope Emeritus has resided since his resignation in February 2013. There he was guarded by friends, citizens and collaborators of the Vatican, as well as by the cardinals and members of the Curia. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti led a short ritual in St. Peter’s Basilica until 7:40 a.m. before completing preparations for the arrival of the faithful.
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