The body of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was carried inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican for a public viewing and final rites.
Br. Jinu Jacob, Vatican City
After his abdication, Pope Benedict XVI chose Mather Ecclesia for prayer and rest in the monastery on 31 December 2022 at 09:34 am. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have sent messages of respect through social media. These respectful gestures are proof of how fondly Pope Benedict XVI has been remembered by the world.
Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life are coming to the Vatican to take one last look and pray. The body was taken to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican by a simple circumambulation at 7:00 on January 2 for the three-day final rite. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, rector of the basilica, then offered a brief prayer. After all the preparations, the public darshan started at about 9 o’clock.
A long line of faithful could be seen in the Vatican square starting at 6 in the morning on Monday 2, 3 and 4 January. Public darshan times are 7am to 7pm. Then, on Thursday, January 5, the Holy Father Pope Francis will hold a funeral service.
