Pope Francis will preside Thursday over the funeral of his predecessor Benedict XVI at the Vatican, an unprecedented event in modern times expected to draw tens of thousands of people.
Pope Francis speaks during the end of year Vespers and Te Deum prayer at St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican on December 31, 2022. The End of year vespers at St Peter’s Basilica takes place as former pope Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in six centuries to step down as head of the Catholic Church, died on December 31, 2022 at the age of 95, the Vatican announced.
Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger, died on Saturday aged 95, bringing an end to an unprecedented situation of having two “men in white” — he and Francis — living in the Vatican. His predecessor’s body was moved into the main part of the basilica on the event of his beatification in 2011. John Paul II was made a saint in 2014.
Benedict was a brilliant theologian but a divisive figure who alienated many Catholics with his staunch defense of conservative doctrine on issues such as abortion. Francis — who praised the “noble, kind” Benedict after his death at the monastery — now has the unusual experience of presiding over his funeral.
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