Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's body is lying in state as thousands of people lined up across St. Peter's Square hours before dawn on Monday to pay their respects.
Twelve hours of viewing are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning's funeral which will be led by Pope Francis in the square.Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 's body, his head resting on a pair of crimson pillows, lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday as thousands of people filed by to pay tribute to the pontiff who shocked the world by retiring a decade ago.
His longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, and a handful of consecrated laywomen who served in Benedict's household, followed the van by foot in a silent procession toward the basilica. Some of the women stretched out a hand to touch the body with respect. Faithful and curious, the public strode briskly up the center aisle to pass by the bier with its cloth draping after waiting in a line that by midmorning snaked around St. Peter's Square.
"He was very important for me: for what I am, my way of thinking, my values. This is why I wanted to say goodbye today." "I think his main legacy was teaching us how to be free," she said. "He had a special intelligence in saying what was essential in his faith and that was contagious" for other faithful. "The thing I thought when he died was that I would like to be as free as he was."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Pope Benedict passes awayPope Emeritus Benedict XVI was the first pope in about 600 years to resign.
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI body lying in state at VaticanPope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body is lying in state as thousands of people lined up across St. Peter’s Square before dawn to pay their respects. Public viewing will continue through Wednesday before Thursday's funeral which will be led by Pope Francis.
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI body lying in state at VaticanPope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body is lying in state as thousands of people lined up across St. Peter’s Square hours before dawn on Monday to pay their respects
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Begins Lying in State at VaticanPope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body is lying in state as thousands of people lined up across St. Peter’s Square hours before dawn on Monday to pay their respects.
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI body lying in state at VaticanPope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body is lying in state as thousands of people lined up across St. Peter’s Square hours before dawn on Monday to pay their respects.
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI body lying in state at VaticanPope Emeritus Benedict XVI's body is lying in state as thousands of people lined up across St. Peter's Square hours before dawn on Monday to pay their respects.
Read more »