The body of Pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday, will be laid to rest for public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Monday morning. The public exhibition will be held for three days. The funeral is on Thursday. Pope Francis will preside over the last rites, which will begin at 9.30 am Italian time (2 pm Indian time). Pope Francis commemorated Benedict XVI in his New Year’s Day prayer. “I entrust the beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to the Holy Mother to accompany him on his journey from this world to God,” Pope Francis said.
The Vatican has announced that Pope Benedict’s funeral will be simple. He will be laid to rest in the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica.
In 2005, rulers of various nations and millions of believers came to participate in the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Remembering leaders
Various heads of state mourned the death of Benedict XVI. His dedication to the church was recognized by the US. President Joe Biden praised. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Pope was a defender of traditional Christian values.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Benedict was a person who promoted universal values. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he will be remembered for his services to the society. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and many other leaders expressed their condolences.
Anjalieki Marktl to Priyaputra
Marktl: The small town of Marktl in Bavaria, Germany has been in prayer and mourning since Saturday.
The late Pope Benedict XVI was born here in 1927. The house is now a museum. The town hall is next to it. A few steps away is St. Oswald’s Church, where the Pope was baptized. Black ribbons are hung here along with the Vatican flag. Candles burning under Benedict’s pillar near the town hall. Inside the church, the image of Benedict is also turned around. Benedict is the favorite son of Marktlin, which has a population of 2,800. Flags were flown at half-mast on all official buildings in Bavaria as a symbol of respect for him. Catholics from Germany and neighboring Austria come to Marktal to pay their last respects to the Pope.
A special prayer service for Pope Benedict was held at the Saint Oswald Church on Saturday.