NNA – Pope Francis paid tribute to the memory of Benedict XVI during New Year’s Mass today at the Vatican, one day after his predecessor’s death at the age of 95. According to “AFP”.
“Today we entrust our dear Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to the Mother of His Holiness (the Virgin Mary) to accompany him in his passage from this world to God,” the pontiff said.
And his body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday morning, where it will lie in bed for three days, so that the faithful can bid farewell to him before the burial ceremony, which will be presided over by Pope Francis on Thursday.
The Vatican has said Benedict’s funeral will be “formal but simple”, and he will then be buried in one of the catacombs of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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