Death of Benedict XVI: start of a week of exceptional tributes to the Vatican


IN IMAGES, IN PICTURES – Joseph Ratzinger will be buried Thursday, January 5 in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Tens of thousands of people have already flocked to pay their respects to the “beloved pope”.

St. Peter’s Square, in Rome, the crowd is always full. Since December 31, the date on which Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at the age of 95, deep emotion has gripped not only Catholics, who are losing a man steeped in faith, intelligence and a rare humility but also the political class.

Read also“Benedict XVI, this great pope with such a sweet smile”

If no white smoke will escape from the papal chimney of the Vatican – his successor, Pope Francis has already been dressed in white since 2013 – the world will have its eyes fixed on the Vatican for this first week of January. Since Monday, January 2, the faithful have been flocking to pay their last respects to Joseph Ratzinger, the first German pope. In less than a day, 65,000 people went to his bedside, according to the Vatican gendarmerie. Decked in papal red, his remains are on display in the heart of St. Peter’s Basilica, where ticketless access is guaranteed, according to the Vatican.

Hundreds of people gather to pay homage to Benedict XVI. CIRO DE LUCA / REUTERS

From dawn, many Catholics, often of Italian nationality, came to populate Saint Peter’s Square. In front of Bernini’s colonnade, the queue gets longer as the hours go by.

In front of Bernini’s colonnade, the queue lengthens as the hours go by. GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE / REUTERS

“It seemed normal to me to come and pay homage to him after all he has done for the Church.“Sister Anna-Maria, an Italian nun, told AFP. “He was a great pope, deep and unique“, emphasizes Francesca, who came especially from Tuscany, who appreciates”the atmosphere of contemplationreigning in the basilica.

At dawn, people gathered in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica. GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE / REUTERS

The remains of Joseph Ratzinger rest on a catafalque stretched with fabric, flanked by two Swiss Guards in ceremonial dress, in front of the main altar of the basilica dominated by a bronze baldachin with twisted colonnades. The deceased pope is dressed in red – the color of papal mourning – and wearing a white miter adorned with a golden braid, a rosary and a crucifix in his hands.

The faithful wishing to pay homage to him pass under the gold of Saint-Pierre cathedral. ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP

Faithful and tourists were able to gather for a few moments – without stopping – in front of the remains, most photographing with their smartphones, some praying or making the sign of the cross.

After passing through a metal detector portal, worshipers and tourists enter through the central aisle into the largest church in the world. VATICAN MEDIA / REUTERS

Several cardinals and members of the Curia were present, including the Pope Emeritus’ private secretary, Bishop Georg Gänswein, who received handshakes as a sign of condolence. Earlier in the morning, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter, came to meditate in front of the papal remains. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was also among the first visitors.

Earlier in the morning, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter, came to meditate with the papal remains. VATICAN MEDIA / REUTERS

Brilliant theologian and fervent guardian of dogma, Benedict XVI, who had resigned in 2013 because of his declining strength, died peacefully Saturday morning at the monastery where he had lived since then, in the Vatican gardens. Early Monday, his body was transferred to the basilica where a blessing ritual was held, in the presence of his close entourage, including Bishop Georg Gänswein. Around 7 a.m., a private ceremony was celebrated immediately after, presided over by Cardinal Gambetti.

Benedict XVI arrived early Monday morning at the basilica after being transported by hearse from the Mater Ecclesiae monastery. VATICAN MEDIA / REUTERS

Dressed in the red robe and a white miter, the pope emeritus was greeted by the entire Curia.

Dressed in the red robe and a white miter, the pope emeritus was greeted by the entire Curia. VATICAN MEDIA / REUTERS

Around the world, tributes are multiplying. “Thank you to God, for having given us through this pope, a useless servant of such fruitfulness“, estimated Jean-Marc Aveline, the new cardinal of the diocese of Marseille.

All over the world, tributes are multiplying for the pope emeritus. Here in Hong Kong. PETER PARKS / AFP

On the occasion of the mass of January 1, in honor of the Virgin Mary, Pope Francis saluted for his part the memory of the “beloved» Benedict XVI. “We all unite to give thanks to God for the gift of this faithful servant of the Gospel and of the Church“, then affirmed the Argentine sovereign pontiff, on the occasion of the weekly prayer of the Angelus.

Images, postcards with the effigy of the pope emeritus multiply on the displays of the shops in the Vatican. TIZIANA FABI / AFP

It is Pope Francis who will preside over the funeral of his predecessor on Thursday, an unprecedented event in the two thousand year history of the Catholic Church which will put an end to the unusual cohabitation of the two men in white. Ceremony, “solemn but soberAccording to the Vatican, will begin at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, where the funeral of John Paul II drew one million people in 2005.

SEE ALSO – The faithful flock to greet the remains of Benedict XVI in Rome



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