Thousands of people began arriving overnight for the funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died on December 31 at the age of 96 and shocked the world nearly a decade ago when he renounced the papacy.
Some started arriving at the Vatican as early as four in the morning, five and a half hours before the start of the funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis.
The funeral Mass will be led by Pope Francis in front of St. Peter's Basilica, and more than 120 cardinals, more than 400 bishops and approximately 4.000 priests will serve at the altar.
Security checks began even before dawn, so that the faithful could take their place in St. Peter's Square on time. An additional 1.000 Italian police officers were called to secure the event, and for security reasons, the airspace above the Vatican will be closed. transmissions H1.
Italy has ordered flags across the country to be flown at half-mast. Among the arrivals are Germans in traditional Bavarian uniforms with flags and coats of arms of Germany, where the former pope emeritus was born.
The body of the late Benedict was on display in the Basilica of St. Petra. Earlier on Wednesday, Pope Francis appeared alongside the faithful who had come to pay their last respects to the late Pope, and addressing the German pilgrims, Francis said – “In the words of our dear Benedict XV,. from whom we say goodbye, I would like to tell you – 'He who believes is never alone! He who has God as his father has many brothers and sisters'".
Benedict died on Saturday in a monastery in the Vatican Gardens, where he had moved after renouncing his duties as Holy Father due to ill health. He was the first pope in 600 years to renounce his office, paving the way for the election of Pope Francis.
Over the past three days, almost 200.000 people have paid their respects to him in St. Peter's Basilica, who paraded by his body dressed in a miter and red robes, with a rosary in folded hands. There were no papal regalia.
His body was laid in a cypress box, in which were placed the Vatican coins minted during his pontificate. In addition to the cross, the Pope's name and the years of his pontificate, the chest also contains the Pope's personal coat of arms.
After the funeral ceremony, the casket will be transferred back to the basilica and will be coated with zinc and sealed in another wooden box. As a final, third chest comes the one made of elm or walnut, sealed with golden nails.
Since Benedict was no longer head of state at the time of his death, only two countries will send official delegations to his funeral – Italy and his native Germany.
Other leaders, including the King and Queen of Belgium, the Queen of Spain and 13 other heads of state and government, will attend the funeral in a private capacity.
Most countries will be represented by ambassadors to the Holy See.
Benedict, whose real name is Jozef Ratzinger, will be buried at his own request in the underground Vatican grottoes, in the crypt where Pope John XXIII and then John Paul II were buried, whose remains were later transferred to the basilica.
Pope John Paul II was buried in the crypt after his death in 2005, and a few years later, his remains were moved next to Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture in St. Peter's Basilica, so his tomb in the crypt is empty.
Bonus video:
