Antonino Galofaro (in Rome), edited by Romain Rouillard
Several thousand faithful gathered on Monday at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome to meditate before the remains of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday at the age of 95. Seriously ill, he lived until then in a monastery in the Vatican. Europe 1 mingled with the crowd.
Say goodbye to him one last time. For tens of thousands of faithful, it was unthinkable not to go to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome this Monday to pay a last tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The former sovereign pontiff died on Saturday at the age of 95.
For about two hours, the line meandered through St. Peter’s Square until it slowly reached the heart of the basilica. The faithful can then finally see Benedict XVI lying down, dressed in a red chasuble and wearing a beige miter. Surrounded by two Swiss guards, his frozen face shines under a strong light.
65,000 faithful present at Saint Peter’s Basilica
The experience is overwhelming, as Justino and Carla recount. “When we arrived in front of the body, I was overwhelmed with sadness because I met Pope Benedict XVI. Now I’m coming home praying for his eternal rest,” Justino said. For her part, Carla says she is “happy” for the former pope. “He said ‘Lord I love you’ before dying. He achieved his goal like all Christians”, assures this faithful before remembering the sadness which had invaded her the day Benoit XVI had to give up his function in 2013 for health reasons. “I cried that day,” she says.
This Monday, 65,000 people were able to pay tribute to Benedict XVI. A figure well beyond the forecasts of the Italian authorities.