The funeral of former Roman Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI, who died at the age of 95 on the 31st of last month, was strictly observed on 5.
On this day, more than 50,000 mourners from around the world attended the funeral mass held in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
The funeral mass was held under the presidency of Pope Francis, with the wooden coffin in which the former Pope Benedict XVI was kept being transported to St. Peter’s Square and placed in front of the altar.
It is the second time that a pope has celebrated the funeral mass of a predecessor, after Pius VII in 1802.
Pope Francis said “our last farewell to Pope Benedict” and praised him as “God, our merciful and loving Father”.
The funeral Mass was attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorza Meloni, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, former birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
After the funeral, the body of former Pope Benedict XVI was buried in a cave under St. Peter’s Basilica.
Former pope Benedict XVI stepped down from the papacy in 2013 after eight years on the throne, citing health reasons as the first Roman Catholic pope in 598 years.
VOA news
