Pope Benedict XVI: Thousands pay homage at Vatican. Details here

Thousands of faithful thronged to the Vatican to pay homage to Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope is the first in papal history to relinquish his office and resign due to failing health. It has been almost ten years since he left. Early on New Year’s day, even before the sun was up at around 4:00 AM, people stood in queues to pay homage to the departed holy see and pray.

The Vatican police said that around 40,000 people had already walked past the body in five hours. Two Swiss Guards stood on watch by the late Pope’s body. At the forefront was Father Alfredo Elnar, 30, from the Philippines, who studied theology and had read many of Pope Benedict’s writings. Sister Marianna Patricevic from Croatia thanked the late Pope for all he had done and remembered his views on almost every subject discussed in university. Father Richard Kunst from the USA came to see the Pope and pray for a friend who had cancer.




The Pope resigned in 2013 and will rest in an open casket without donning the Papal regalia and insignia. Most people knew the former Pope to be very humble and gentle. The late Pope, who hailed from Germany, was first paid respects by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. The funeral will be held at St Peter’s Basilica, and the body will be placed in the tomb beneath the Basilica. Thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral, and the Vatican has already drawn up a list of guests. This is the first time a Pope presides over a deceased predecessor's funeral program. Pope Francis has already thanked the earlier Pope for his services to the Catholic Church.

President Joe Biden acknowledged Pope Benedict's contribution to the church, while Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, mentioned that his name would be etched forever in history. The late Pope had been criticised for not taking action against sexual abuses by Catholic churches worldwide.

FAQs:

1. What was the title Pope Benedict chose after he resigned?
   Pope Emeritus
2. What instrument did the late Pope play?
   Piano