Vatican City – Thousands of faithful paid homage to the late Pope Benedict. In front of the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, the faithful had already lined up to see the Pope’s body, which yesterday was exposed to the public. The public visit was from 9 to 10 yesterday. Public darshan will be allowed for 12 hours each today and tomorrow. The memorial service will begin Thursday at 9:00am (2:00pm IST) with Pope Francis officiating. Pope Benedict will be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica next to the tomb where Pope John Paul II was originally buried, as Pope Benedict had intended.
Pope Benedict’s body was taken from the chapel of the monastery where he abdicated in 2013 and led a life of retreat yesterday morning in a circumambulation towards St. Peter’s Basilica and placed on the pew in front of the high altar. There were no insignia except that each side was escorted by a Swiss Guard. The body, dressed in red and gold, did not have the papal insignia.
English summary: Thousands pay homage to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
