Mourners have till Wednesday to say goodbye to him there. The authorities count on round 35,000 guests a day.
Two images of Benedict XVI’s corpse specified by state. the Press Office of the Holy See printed round midday yesterday. The former pope is mendacity on pillows and wearing a purple papal gown. On his head he wears a miter, a conventional headgear for bishops. In his fingers he holds a rosary.
Transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica
Today the deceased is transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica so that folks can say goodbye to them.
“It’s a bitter and sad moment, but we’re here for a few more days and we’ll definitely go and say a prayer,” say these two vacationers from northern Italy. “We’d like to go and say goodbye to him, but I’m sure it will be very crowded.”
Dariusz from Poland, who research on the Pontifical Gregorian University, also can think about visiting the physique. “In these days we will definitely think of him and pray for him. That was also his request, the last words, as Archbishop Gänswein said to us, were: pray for me.”
Visitors can say goodbye to Benedikt as much as and together with Wednesday night. St. Peter’s Basilica is open till 7 p.m. on lately. According to the Roman authorities, round 35,000 guests are anticipated daily, at regular occasions there are round 20,000.
No crowds anticipated
The municipal police yesterday started making preparations to channel the circulation of pilgrims. But not like after the dying of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, no mass rush of pilgrims is predicted.
Pietro, who has been promoting drinks and sandwiches in his kiosk straight behind the colonnade for many years, nonetheless remembers that point properly. “Do you know this area? The line went to the end of Via die Corridori,” he says. That was very spectacular. People would have queued up at evening too. “They all wanted to see the body of John Paul II. Now I think things will be a bit more subdued. There won’t be such a snake. At least I think so.”
60,000 individuals anticipated for the funeral service
The funeral of Benedict XVI. is scheduled for Thursday. According to the needs of the deceased, it ought to be solemn however easy, because the Vatican press workplace has introduced. Pope Francis will preside over the Requiem.
He had already prayed for his predecessor in yesterday’s New Year’s Mass. “Today we entrust to Our Lady the beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to accompany him in his transition from this world to God!”
Around 60,000 individuals, together with cardinals and heads of state, are anticipated to attend Benedict’s funeral service. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has additionally introduced his presence.
