Live broadcast of the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican.
Photo: Reuters
The funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 95, began today (Thursday) in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
Pope Francis conducts the ceremony.
In light of Benedict XVI's wishes, the funeral will be "simple", according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
This is the first time in modern times that a pope conducts a funeral for his predecessor in office.
The Pope's coffin will then move from St. Peter's Square to the burial chamber, the crypt, in the Vatican.
The coffin made of cypress wood will be placed inside a sealed and locked zinc coffin.
This coffin was eventually placed inside another wooden coffin, which would be the one to be buried.
1/12 (Photo: Reuters)
Dignitaries from around the world attended the funeral, including Queen Sofia of Spain, King Philippe of Belgium and his wife Queen Mathilde, and German Chancellor Olaf Schulz.
The United States Ambassador to the Vatican, Joe Donnelly, will be the American representative.
Delegations from Germany and Ireland also came to the funeral as well as senior politicians from Italy, including Prime Minister Giorgia Maloney, and politicians from Hungary.
Other Catholic royal families in Europe including Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Monaco are expected to send representatives.
About 200,000 faithful have passed by the coffin of the former pope since Monday when it was displayed in St. Peter's Basilica.
On Wednesday, an intimate religious ceremony was held where various items such as coins and medals minted during his tenure were placed in a coffin for the funeral.
Pope Francis eulogized him.
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