A total of 135,000 people have come to St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, in the two days it has been open, to bid their last farewell to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on December 31, 2022.
Specifically, 65,000 people watched over the pontiff emeritus on Monday, when his body was exposed in the basilica, and another 70,000 did so on Tuesday, according to the Vatican City State Gendarmerie.
The mortal remains of Benedict XVI were transferred Monday from the private chapel of the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to St. Peter’s Basilica.
The late pope emeritus rests on a catafalque, covered by a red velvet cloth and supported by two cushions, with a red chasuble, and wears an ornate white miter on his head. In addition, he holds an intertwined rosary in his hands.
Unlike his predecessors, he does not wear the papal pallium, the woolen ribbon with crosses that is placed on the shoulders and symbolizes the power of government in a given jurisdiction. In fact, he will be buried without wearing the pallium, which will be placed in the coffin as is done for bishops emeritus.
The body of Benedict XVI is placed right in front of the monumental baldachin, the work of the Italian Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in the central area of St. Peter’s Basilica. He is flanked by two Swiss guards and surrounded by protective fences that separate him from the people who have wanted to venerate him at this time.
This Tuesday was the second day in which the faithful who came to Rome from all over the world were able to pay homage and pray before the mortal remains of the Pope Emeritus. The mortuary chapel will remain open until Wednesday and on Thursday the funeral will be held in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Pope Francis.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
