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    Former Pope Benedict XVI lies in state in St Peter’s Basilica ahead of funeral


    Rome
    CNN
     — 

    The lying-in-state of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died Saturday at the age of 95, began Monday in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City ahead of his funeral later this week.

    Benedict, who was the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign his position, rather than hold office for life, passed away on December 31 at a monastery in Vatican City, according to a statement from the Vatican.

    He was elected Pope in April 2005, following John Paul II’s death.

    The former Pope’s body was moved from the monastery to St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday morning, where it was laid out for the faithful to bid farewell, the Vatican said. Nearly 40,000 people have paid homage to former pontiff as of 2 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET) Monday, according to Vatican police.

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella were among those to pay their respects as Benedict lay in state.

    Watch Pope Benedict’s most memorable moments

    Mourners waiting in line in St. Peter’s Square told CNN they wanted to pay tribute to the former Pope.

    “We’re just here to pray, to give thanks to God for the life of Pope Benedict,” said Paul, a student from Scotland.

    “Apart from his theology, which was very important for the Church, I think all the time that he spent in his retirement praying for the Church has been a very big testimony for all of us.”

    Benedict’s funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, according to the director of the press office of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni. The funeral will be led by Pope Francis. In line with Benedict’s wishes, his funeral will be “simple,” Bruni said.

    Francis paid tribute to his predecessor while leading the Angelus prayer on Sunday.

    People wait in line to pay their respects to former Pope Benedict in Vatican City on January 2, 2023, ahead of his funeral on Thursday.

    Benedict's lying-in-state started Monday in St. Peter's Basilica.

    “In particular, this salute is to the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who yesterday morning passed away. We salute him as a faithful servant of the gospel,” he said.

    Benedict was known to be more conservative than his successor, Pope Francis, who has made moves to soften the Vatican’s position on abortion and homosexuality, as well as doing more to deal with the sexual abuse crisis that has engulfed the church in recent years and clouded Benedict’s legacy.

    He stunned the Catholic faithful and religious experts around the world in 2013 when he announced plans to step down from his position as Pope, citing his “advanced age.”

    In his farewell address, the outgoing Pope promised to stay “hidden” from the world, but he continued to speak out on religious matters in the years following his retirement, contributing to tensions within the Catholic Church.

    His death prompted tributes from political and religious leaders including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Dalai Lama.

    (FILES) This file picture taken on December 29, 2012, in St.Peter's square at the Vatican shows Pope Benedict XVI saluting as he arrives to the ecumenical christian community of Taize during their European meeting. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries. AFP PHOTO / FILES / ALBERTO PIZZOLI        (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

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