Tens of thousands of mourners gathered at the Vatican on Thursday for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who shocked the world about ten years ago when he resigned as the Catholic Pontiff.
Mourners dressed in black poured into St. Peter’s Square ahead of the Mass, which began at 9:30 a.m. local time (3:30 a.m. ET). Pope Francis presided — with the pontiff leading the farewell to his predecessor in an event unprecedented in modern times.
As fog shrouded the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, the ceremony began with a prayer by Francis for Benedict, and readings were made in Spanish, English and Latin. Hymns sung by the Sistine Chapel Choir included Psalms 23 and Hallelujah.
Francis honored Benedict in his homily but didn’t dwell on his specific legacy and only uttered his name once, in the final line.
Prayers were also said in German, French, Arabic, Portuguese and Italian.
Francis placed his hand on Benedict’s cypress coffin as it was being carried into St. Peter’s Basilica, before placing his hand on his chest and bowin. The coffin was led away from the square to applause and cheers from the crowds.
Benedict, who died New Year’s Eve at the age of 95, shocked the Catholic Church when he retired in 2013, becoming the first pontiff to do so in 600 years.
In 2013, he ceded the papacy to Francis, who is widely seen as a more reformist leader, and spent his twilight years living at the Vatican in a refurbished monastery.
Because Benedict was no longer a head of state when he died, only two countries, Italy and his native Germany, sent official delegations to the funeral. But other world leaders and royals attended in a private capacity.
Heavy security measures were enforced in the Holy See to ensure the event’s safety, with more than 1,000 Italian security personnel deployed and its air space closed for the day.
Some 50,000 people attended Thursday’s Mass, according to the Vatican.
Former Queen Sofia of Spain, King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were among the dignitaries that attended the funeral Thursday.
Among prominent clergymen attending the funeral were Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, his secretary said. Zen.
Almost 200,000 people paid their respects as Benedict’s body was lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica from Monday until Wednesday evening.
The pope’s body was placed in a plain wood coffin. After the funeral ceremony, the coffin was taken back inside the basilica and encased in zinc.
before being sealed in a second wooden casket.