Pope Francis leads funeral of his predecessor Benedict XVI in prestigious ceremony at Vatican - CNN

Rome CNN  — 

The ceremonial of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died Saturday astatine the property of 95, began Thursday successful a accepted ceremonial led by Pope Francis astatine St. Peter’s Square successful Vatican City.

In enactment with Benedict’s wishes, his ceremonial volition beryllium “simple,” according to the manager of the property bureau of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni. It volition beryllium the archetypal juncture successful modern times a pope has presided implicit his predecessor’s funeral.

Members of the faithful person lined the square, which tin spot astir 60,000 people, successful anticipation of the ceremony.

The ceremonial volition beryllium akin to that of a reigning pope but determination volition beryllium immoderate modifications, Bruni said. Benedict volition beryllium named pope emeritus during the funeral, and the connection of immoderate prayers volition beryllium antithetic due to the fact that helium was not the reigning pope erstwhile helium died.

The faithful prayed to the rosary arsenic Benedict’s coffin near St. Peter’s Basilica astatine astir 8:45 a.m. section clip (2.45 a.m. ET) Thursday.

Francis started starring the wide Thursday morning, erstwhile helium is expected to springiness a homily astatine 10 a.m. section clip (4 a.m. ET).

Benedict’s coffin volition past beryllium transported done the Basilica and to the Vatican crypt for the burial, successful the archetypal tomb of John Paul II.

The tomb was vacated aft John Paul II’s assemblage and remains were moved to a chapel wrong the Basilica aft helium became a saint.

At the clip of the burial during the rite, a webbing volition beryllium placed astir the coffin with the seals of the apostolic chamber, the pontifical location and liturgical celebrations. The cypress coffin volition beryllium placed wrong a zinc coffin that is soldered and sealed, and subsequently placed wrong a woody coffin, which volition beryllium buried.

The ceremonial is expected to extremity astatine astir 11:15 a.m. section clip (5.15 a.m. ET).

High-profile dignitaries including Queen Sofia of Spain and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are acceptable to be the funeral, alongside US Ambassador to the Holy See Joe Donelly.

Benedict, who was the archetypal pontiff successful astir 600 years to resign his position, alternatively than clasp bureau for life, passed distant connected December 31 astatine a monastery successful Vatican City, according to a connection from the Vatican.

He was elected pope successful April 2005, pursuing John Paul II’s death.

Benedict was known to beryllium much blimpish than his successor, Pope Francis, who has made moves to soften the Vatican’s presumption connected termination and homosexuality, arsenic good arsenic doing much to woody with the intersexual maltreatment situation that has engulfed the religion successful caller years and clouded Benedict’s legacy.

The scroll that was enactment wrong Pope Benedict XVI’s coffin, which is simply a biography of his beingness and mentions immoderate of the astir important moments of his tenure, recalls that helium “firmly” fought against pedophilia.

“He firmly fought against crimes committed by members of the clergy against minors oregon susceptible persons, continually calling the Church to conversion, prayer, penance and purification,” the scroll said.

His decease prompted tributes from governmental and spiritual leaders including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Dalai Lama.

About 200,000 mourners, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, paid their respects to the erstwhile pontiff earlier this week during his lying-in-state successful St. Peter’s Basilica.

The nationalist viewing of Benedict finished Wednesday, earlier an intimate spiritual rite during which items including coins and medals minted implicit his tenure and a scroll astir the pontificate were placed into his sealed cypress coffin up of the funeral.

Francis paid tribute to his predecessor during an assemblage astatine the Vatican Wednesday.

“I would similar america to articulation with those present beside america who are paying their respects to Benedict XVI, and to crook my thoughts to him, a large maestro of catechesis,” helium said.

“May helium assistance america rediscover successful Christ the joyousness of believing and the anticipation of living.”