Thousands
of people line up to enter St. Peter's Basilica for a tribute to Benedict XVI,
whose body has been on display to all the faithful since 9 this morning.
They are groups of men and women religious but also families, single people.
Everyone passes through the metal detectors and, despite the large influx, the line flows neatly inside St. Peter's Square.
The most massive influx of arrivals is from the side of Porta Sant'Anna where people were in line this morning even before the opening of the basilica.
The Prefect of Rome has predicted that, in these days when Ratzinger's body is exposed in the Vatican (January 2-4), at least 30-35 thousand people will flow a day, while for the funerals that will be celebrated on January 5, the forecast is presence of 60 thousand faithful.
Ratzinger, in line at St. Peter's since dawn to pay him homage
The transfer of the body from the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to the basilica took place, privately, at 7, the arrival in the Basilica at 7.15.
The brief ritual, presided over by card.
Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter's basilica, lasted until 7.40.
Then the preparation of the Basilica was completed for the arrival of the faithful to visit the Pope Emeritus.
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The homage of the faithful - Primopiano
The images (ANSA)
The President of the Republic
Sergio Mattarella
paid homage to Benedict XVI "at 8.50, before the opening of the Vatican basilica" to the public, the parish priest of San Pietro don Agnello Stoia told ANSA.
Even the Prime Minister
Giorgia Meloni
paid tribute to the Pope Emeritus.
With her the undersecretary to the presidency of the council Alfredo Mantovano and the minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, went to St. Peter's Basilica to pay homage to Ratzinger.
"A pontiff who accompanied the construction of the EU always remembering the founding and constitutive values of European society so that they can be promoted for the good of all. This is the greatest legacy he left to all men and women committed to various title in the institutions", underlined Tajani in recalling the figure of Benedict XVI.
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Dead Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the funeral on January 5 - Specials
Farewell to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
His testament: 'Stand firm in the faith'.
Francesco at the Te Deum: 'With emotion we remember his person so noble, so kind'.
From the morning of Monday 2 January 2023, the body will be exhibited in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for the greeting of the faithful.
Funeral in simplicity but 'as Pope' on January 5th.
Life as Ratzinger, childhood in Bavaria and renunciation © ANSA
