The funeral of Benedict XVI, LIVE: over 100 thousand faithful at the mass presided over by Pope Francis

Benedict XVI’s coffin has arrived in St. Peter’s Square for the funeral

On the shoulders of the twelve so-called gentlemen, the coffin with the mortal remains of the pope emeritus Benedict XVI He arrived at the atrium of St. Peter’s square from inside the basilica, for his funeral.

Thunderous applause welcomed the appearance of the coffin at the main door of St. Peter’s Basilica, wrapped in a thick fog, and the rosary began, which precedes the ceremony scheduled for 9:30 (local time) and will preside over the Pope francesco.

Benedict XVI’s “rógito” recalls that he fought firmly against the abuses

The “deed”, the deed that recalls the life and work of the pope emeritus Benedict XVIand of being placed in the coffin together with his mortal remains, recalls that “he fought firmly against the crimes committed by members of the clergy against minors or weak people, constantly calling the Church to conversion, prayer, penance and purification ”.

In this deed, written in Latin and placed in a metal cylinder in the coffin of the deceased pontiffs, it was also recalled that “as a theologian of recognized authority, he left a rich legacy of studies and research on the fundamental truths of the faith.”.

It has been highlighted that in the eight years of his pontificate, until his resignation in 2013, “he successfully promoted dialogue with Anglicans, Jews and representatives of other religions and also resumed contact with the priests of the Community of Saint Pius X”, those known as “Lefebvrians” who do not recognize some of the changes introduced by the Second Vatican Council.
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The document recalls the morning of 11 February 2013 when, during a consistory, an assembly of cardinals announced in Latin his decision to resign from the pontificate due to “lack of strength to adequately exercise” his ministry.

According to the police, around 100,000 people will attend the funeral

The Rome Police Headquarters estimates it about 100,000 people will participate in the funeral mass of the pope emeritus, Benedict XVIheld in the Plaza de San Pedro, amid strong security measures.

At 6 in the morning they began to allow access to the Plaza de San Pedro to the faithful, who slowly and orderly began to take their seats since they did not distribute tickets for this occasion, it was enough to get in line to enter. in the premises.

To access St. Peter’s Square it is necessary to pass the controls and through a metal detector, and all parked vehicles have been closed to traffic and removed from the streets adjacent to the Vatican.

Public transport in the capital has also been upgraded so that the faithful can reach the square more easily.