Having drawn thousands of people for his funeral, Pope Benedict XVI was buried in a crypt beneath St Peter's Basilica - which holds the tombs of more than 90 of his predecessors - according to Benedict's final wishes.
Beginning in a traditional ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, in Vatican City, Benedict was named pope emeritus during the funeral, as the language of some prayers was different because he was not the reigning pope when he died.
Although it was marked by simplicity – as per the wishes of the former pope - some 200,000 people paid their respects to the pontiff during his lying-in-state over the last three days before the funeral, according to the Vatican. Benedict died on New Year's Eve at the age of 95, nine years after he retired as pope, becoming the first pontiff in 600 years to do so.
Led by Pope Francis, mourners dressed in black poured into St. Peter’s Square ahead of the Mass as Pope Francis presided — with the pontiff leading the farewell to his predecessor in an event unprecedented in modern times. The ceremony began with a prayer by Francis for Benedict, and readings were made in Spanish, English and Latin.
As Hymns were sung by the Sistine Chapel Choir included Psalms 23 and Hallelujah, prayers were also said in German, French, Arabic, Portuguese and Italian. Because Benedict was no longer a head of state when he died, only two countries, Italy and his native Germany, sent official delegations to the funeral. But other world leaders and royals attended in a private capacity.
The pope's body was placed in a plain wood coffin which, after the funeral ceremony, was taken back inside the basilica and encased in zinc before being sealed in a second wooden casket. His death led to tributes from across the world.
President Joe Biden, America’s second Roman Catholic president, said in a statement: “Benedict will be remembered as a renowned theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and faith.” Church historian at Kean University, in the U.S.A., Christopher Bellitto, said: “The life of Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict and post Pope Emeritus Benedict, are all linked by one virtue, and that is humility.”
The pope’ss decision to resign citing his ailing health may have changed the office of the pope forever, experts said. “The decision was part-and-parcel of his belief that ‘the office’ is bigger than any one human being”.
Benedict, who died on New Year's Eve at the age of 95, shocked the Catholic Church when he retired in 2013, becoming the first pontiff to do so in 600 years.
