Mourners poured into St. Peter’s Square early Thursday for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, hoping to pay final respects to the German theologian who made history by retiring and particip…
VATICAN CITY – Mourners poured into St. Peter’s Square early Thursday for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, hoping to pay final respects to the German theologian who made history by retiring and participate in a rare requiem Mass for a dead pope presided over by a living one.
But other heads of state and government decided to take the Vatican up on its offer and come in their “private capacity.” They included several other heads of state, at least four prime ministers and two delegations of royal representatives. Some 200,000 paid tribute to Benedict during three days of public viewing in St. Peter’s Basilica, with one of the last ones Friar Rosario Vitale, who spent an hour praying by his body. He said Benedict had given him a special dispensation to begin the process of becoming a priest, which was required because of a physical disability.
Francis has praised Benedict’s courage in stepping aside when he believed he no longer had the strength to lead the church, saying it “opened the door” to other popes doing the same. Francis, for his part, recently said he has already left written instructions outlining the conditions in which he too would resign if he were to become incapacitated.
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.
Thousands pour into St. Peter's for funeral of Benedict XVIVATICAN CITY (AP) — Mourners poured into St. Peter’s Square early Thursday for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, hoping to pay final respects to the German theologian who made history by retiring and participate in a rare requiem Mass for a dead pope presided over by a living one.
Read more »
Pope Benedict XVI remembered at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral ahead of Vatican funeralCatholics gathered together at Holy Name Cathedral in downtown Chicago Monday to remember and celebrate the life of Pope Benedict XVI.
Read more »
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Visits Pope Benedict XVI’s Body Lying in StateThe far-right Hungarian leader and his wife are expected to stay in Rome for the retired pope’s funeral Thursday.
Read more »
Pope Benedict XVI's Longtime Personal Aide to Release Tell-All Book Detailing 'Dark Maneuvers'Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s longtime personal secretary has written a tell-all book that is coming out this month.
Read more »
Lawsuit Against Pope Benedict XVI Will Continue Despite DeathA 38-year-old German man who says he was abused by a known predatory priest has been allowed to continue his civil lawsuit against the late Pope Benedict XVI’s eventual heirs.
Read more »
More than 60,000 view Benedict XVI's body at VaticanPope 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 tens of thousands queued to pay tribute to the pontiff who shocked the world by retiring a decade ago.
Read more »